Monday, January 28, 2013
A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.
Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. A new norovirus strain, GII.4 Sydney, was detected last year in Australia. The strain hit the U.K. and sickened over a million people. It has now reached the United States and this new strain appears to be taking over. Of norovirus cases …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Flu myths vs. flu facts. Here are seven common myths about the vaccination.
This information was provided by the The Henry Ford Health System located in Detroit, Mich. and first appeared on stclairshores.patch.com. The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are 7 common myths about vaccination. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-…
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Use these tips to help reduce your chances of getting and spreading the flu virus.
- AWARENESS
-
Saturday, January 12
Lawrenceville Patch reached out to Gwinnett Medical Center for their top tips on how to get through this intense flu season. Here's what Eve Early, Manager of Infection Control at Gwinnett Med, had to say: Do you have your own tips for surviving flu season? Tell us in the comments section below.
33.96449
-84.014589
Gwinnett Medical Center
1000 Medical Center Blvd, Lawrenceville, GA
/articles/how-to-survive-flu-season-tips-from-gwinnett-medical-center
1144731
/locations/8580270
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Charts from Google Flu Trends show that flu activity accelerated rapidly in the month of December and is still high. Here's what you can do to protect yourself and others.
Flu season is in full swing in the U.S. According to estimates on Google's Flu Trends, the flu in the U.S. and Georgia since December has been ranked "intense," the highest level on the chart. This ranking is much higher than in previous years. Since 2006, there have been only two times when the level peaked slightly to "intense": August 2009 and February 2008. Those times were still nowhere near the high intensity level now, though. If you haven't gotten the flu shot yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly suggests to get vaccinated, calling it everyone's "best defense." Here are some places in Lawrenceville that offer the vaccine: You can find more locations here. The Atlanta organization also says to take the …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
-
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in nearby Norcross than they are now, according to estimates on Google's Flu Trends. (Gwinnett-County-specific data is not available.) Overall in Georgia, activity is considered intense now, while it was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. Flu Trends is a Google tool that uses aggregated search data to estimate flu activity. If you're considering getting a flu shot, you can find where to get one here or by typing in your ZIP Code in the box above. According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country. Five states – Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Where can you go in Lawrenceville, Ga. to get your shot?
More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday. With National Influenza Vaccination Week, which started last Sunday and ends Saturday, health officials aim to increase that percentage, especially since this year's season may be a bad one. Influenza—more commonly known as simply "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. The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst …
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Pneumonia vaccines are also available.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Flu and pneumonia vaccines are now available through the Gwinnett County Health Department. The flu shots are available at their centers in Lawrenceville, Buford and Norcross. Vaccinations are also available at locations in Newton and Rockdale counties. The Health Department is offering both the nasal and injectable forms of the flu vaccine to everyone 6 months or older for $25. Residents can pay with cash or credit card (except American Express). Medicaid, Medicare Part B and some private insurance providers will be billed by the Health Department. They're also recommending pneumonia shots for people over the age of 65 or anyone with a chronic illness or weakened immune system. The Health Department says this shot will help protect them …
33.962994
-84.012871
575 Outpatient Imaging Center
575 Professional Dr, Lawrenceville, GA
/articles/flu-shots-now-available-at-county-health-centers
1144841
/locations/5353985
Msgoff
9:43 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
I find it absolutely amazing how many people DO NOT or DO NOT WANT TO wash their hands. As is said, "That's nasty!" Hand washing should be for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Understand that bacteria does not play!! It is recommended to use soap and water, rather than antibacterial (alcohol) cleaners in the case of preventing Norovirus. I really wish health care personnel would use … more ›