The New York State Department of Health has issued an influenza alert to regional and local healthcare facilities because of the unusually early appearance of influenza this year.
College health centers in the western half of the country are already being inundated. There is growing concern that this year's epidemic may be unusually severe, in part because the strain responsible for 78 percent of reported cases is somewhat different from the original strain present in the vaccine.
Nevertheless, the Panama strain of influenza A contained in this year's vaccine is expected to provide some cross-protection against the Fujian-like strain that is currently circulating. The other two strains of influenza virus in the vaccine appear to closely match their circulating counterparts.
Based on all this, I strongly encourage everyone who has not yet gotten a flu shot this year to consider getting one, especially anyone who falls in the CDC's high-risk categories: Individuals with chronic respiratory illnesses (including asthma) or other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, individuals who are in regular contact with the elderly or ill either at home or through their work, anyone with immune suppression (from cancer treatment, for example), and individuals over age 55. The IC health center has a limited supply of flu vaccine available, as do many area medical practices. It is definitely not too late to be immunized.
One additional measure that is highly effective in preventing the spread of flu, and couldn't be simpler, is frequent hand washing. More viral respiratory infections are spread by hand contact than by coughing or sneezing.
Finally, one of the health department recommendations that were distributed on November 26 for preventing the spread of influenza within hospitals and nursing homes makes sense for IC employees and students as well: If you develop symptoms compatible with influenza -- usually the abrupt onset of significant fever, muscle aches, headache, cough, and relatively mild nasal congestion -- stay home and minimize your contact with others until the illness resolves.
Health center staff are available to answer your questions at 274-3177, and links from our website (Hammond Health Center) explain the difference between influenza and the common cold.
Contributed by David E. Newman MD, Director of Health Services
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20031203120107620