40 Flu Deaths in Pa. - Did You Get Your Flu Shot?
Statistics released Tuesday from the state Department of Health show flu cases continue to rise locally and across Pennsylvania.
The number of flu cases in the Lehigh Valley and throughout Pennsylvania continues to climb, according to new state data released Tuesday.
The state health department reported Tuesday that there were another 18 influenza-related deaths last week, bringing to 40 the total number of flu-related deaths this season, through Jan. 12.
The state Health Department website did not indicate any deaths in Lehigh and Northampton counties, nor any pediatric flu-related deaths. However, an infant had died from flu-related complications in early January at Lehigh Valley Hospital, a hospital spokesman confirmed last week.
Most of the reported deaths were among those 65 and older, the state health officials said.
The state Department of Health put the number of confirmed flu cases in the Lehigh Valley at 1,703 as of Jan. 5, up from a total of 1,205 cases. There were 826 cases in Lehigh County and 877 cases in Northampton County from Oct. 2 to Jan. 12.
In Pennsylvania, the number of confirmed flu cases increased to 16,511 since Oct. 2, up from a total of 11,327 cases the previous week. Flu cases have been reported in all the state's 67 counties.
The flu does not peak until mid-January or February, so it is not too late to get a flu shot. To find a place near you to get a flu shot, type your zip code into the Flu Finder site.
Influenza—more commonly known as "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose.
Symptoms of the flu include muscle or body aches, headache, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever or chills, and vomiting and diarrhea (the latter two are more common in kids). The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions or cause death.
Lab-confirmed flu cases represent only a fraction of those with the flu, state health officials say, since most people with the flu -- including those who seek health care -- are diagnosed without lab testing.
Carl Stevenson
2:45 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Hell no! They are largely ineffective and contain mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, and other poisons and can cause Guillain Barre syndrome, autism, and many other adverse and often life-threatening adverse reactions. My wife is an RN with a master's degree and over 30 years of experience. She sees the results in the long-term acute care setting. EVERY patient she's seen in recent years, paralyzed and on a ventilator, with Guillain Barre syndrome had RECENTLY had the flu shot! EVERY ONE!
Did you know that the vaccine manufacturers have been granted immunity (pun intended) from lawsuits for damages caused by their products by the federal government?
If parents follow the "recommended schedule" their children will receive about 30 vaccinations before they are 2 years old. Autism has grown by about 100-fold.
IF you dig deep enough, even though they push vaccines, the CDS's own information (buried, but available) shows that the flu vaccine is marginally effective and the risks are far more than they let on to the public.
Patch reader
7:41 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
"My wife is an RN with a master's degree and over 30 years of experience. She sees the results in the long-term acute care setting. EVERY patient she's seen in recent years, paralyzed and on a ventilator, with Guillain Barre syndrome had RECENTLY had the flu shot! EVERY ONE! "
I agree with Carl (and his wife). The flu shots aren't always as safe as the CDC would like us to believe.
Read these links and then decide if the flu shot is for you.
www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/library/vaers_pubs.html
www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/flu-shot-not-ruled-out-in-child-death/story-e6frg6nf-1225917693482
www.naturalnews.com/029124_flu_vaccines_quackery.html
kerry follweiler
4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Knock on wood I never had the flu, nor have I ever received the flu shot. Now my mother who receives the flu shot every year gets the flu every year. This year everyone I know who had the flu also had a flu shot. Now I know this dosent make up even a small fraction of the over 800 people in northamton county, but still, what are the odds. Theres no doubt the flu grts worse every year, we can see that in the number of people with flu shots that end up with the flu. Im sure one day I will end up with the flu, Ive just been lucky so far
Patch reader
7:33 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
The flu shot isn't everything its cracked up to be. Do your research before you get one.
Flu shot not ruled out in child death
BY: ROSANNE BARRETT-The Australian
September 11, 2010
A CORONER has ruled that a flu vaccine linked to convulsions in almost 100 children may have contributed to the death of a toddler.
The finding by Queensland Coroner John Lock sparked calls for improved testing procedures before the release of mass vaccinations. Mr Lock yesterday finalised his investigation into the death in April of two-year-old Brisbane toddler Ashley Jade Epapara - less than 24 hours after she received the seasonal flu vaccine.
Nine hours after Ashley and her twin sister, Jaime, were given Fluvax, Jaime started vomiting in her cot. As parents David and Nicole attended to Jaime, Ashley slept, seemingly unaffected. But at some point during the night, Ashley died.
Mr Lock said a full autopsy had failed to reveal the toddler's cause of death.
"There was no finding to causally connect the young child's death with the flu vaccination," he said in a statement. "However, I have concluded that a link between the vaccination and the death cannot be absolutely excluded. The medical cause of her death is undetermined."
www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/flu-shot-not-ruled-out-in-child-death/story-e6frg6nf-1225917693482