Flu outbreak may be worse than last year, health officials say

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

February 11, 2008 12:26 am

— If you have the impression that the flu season is a little worse this year, health care officials say there is a basis in fact.
The Oklahoma State Health Department has advised that there is “widespread” influenza activity in Oklahoma. This week’s surveillance findings indicate that an Influenza B strain is circulating that is not vaccine matched.
This means that if you got a flu shot, there is some possibility it won’t be as effective this year.
Mike Zaleski, immunization field consultant for the Muskogee and Sequoyah counties, said each year’s search for the latest official vaccine starts overseas.
“The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices consults with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization,” he said. “They look at Asia and Australia because the flu usually happens there first. From that, they develop the vaccine.”
The flu virus mutates on a regular basis, so doctors try to predict with three forms will combine to form a vaccine effective for the largest number of people.
“This year, it contains influenza A H1N1 Solomon Islands-like virus, influenza A H3N2 Wisconsin-like virus, and type B Malaysia-like virus,” Zaleski said.
Although local reports may indicate spikes in the rate of flu infection, Zaleski said the state’s information is more generalized.
“Your family physician may get 40 cases in his office, but the state has no way of knowing about it, because the flu is not considered a reportable disease,” he said. “The state contracts out to select labs who monitor flu activity in eight regions.”
Although the flu isn’t something that really has a cure, early intervention seems to be the most successful strategy.
“We still recommend that anyone with flu symptoms go to the doctor to get checked out as soon as possible,” he said. “The best prevention is still to get the flu shot. It’s not too late.”
State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley has reported that 488 of 816 tests among Oklahomans for the influenza virus came back positive.
Although the February peak is typical for Oklahoma, it appears that a little more than half of the influenza virus spreading through Oklahoma is a strain of type B not covered by the influenza vaccine, Bradley said.
Cora Overstreet, a pharmacist with Economy Pharmacy on west Okmulgee Avenue, said many customers are looking for relief from flu symptoms.
“There has been a bug going around,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of customers looking for Mucinex (over-the-counter decongestant).”
Overstreet said doctors are prescribing two popular drugs for patients diagnosed with influenza.
“As far as prescriptions, we’ve sold a lot of Tamiflu (stops the flu virus from growing), and a lot of Phenergan (treats itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, nausea),” she said.

Flu vs. cold
What are the differences between cold and flu?
• Fever — Lasts longer with the flu.
• Headache — Rare with cold, sudden and severe with flu.
• Muscle aches — A frequent flu symptom; usually severe.
• Tiredness and weakness — Can last two or more weeks with flu.
• Extreme exhaustion — Sudden onset and severity is a flu symptom.
• Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat — More frequent with cold than flu.
• Cough — Usually associated with flu, and can become severe.
Source: Sanofi Pasteur Inc.
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