Flu now 'widespread' in state; 6 deaths reported
SEATTLE (AP) - Fever, cough and headache caused by the flu are now widespread in Washington, the state Department of Health said Friday.
Previously the flu had been at a regional level. It was upgraded in a new report, meaning the flu is in more than half of the communities in the state, said spokesman Donn Moyer.
Widespread flu is not unusual, but the activity appears to be increasing and could be worse than the previous two seasons, which were considered mild, Moyer said.
"We get to widespread flu activity in our state almost every season," Moyer said. The activity seems to be a little early. It typically peaks in January and February.
"We're ramping up," Moyer said.
Six people have died of the flu so far this season, including one child, all in Western Washington. There were 18 flu deaths in 2011-2012 and 36 the previous year. The most state deaths were 98 in the swine flu season of 2009-2010.
"Every one of these deaths is tragic, especially one that happens to have been a child," Moyer said. "But the numbers are not unusual."
The department reported the first three deaths in December: a 12-year-old Pierce County boy, and a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s in King County.
Three more December deaths were reported last week by Snohomish County: a Bothell woman in her 40s, an Everett woman in her 80s and an Edmonds woman in her 80s.
Those are lab-confirmed flu deaths. Officials believe the flu is a complicating factor in more deaths.
The department urges residents to take the risk seriously and head off the aches, stuffy nose and fatigue with a flu shot. There's no shortage of the vaccine in the state, Moyer said. The shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. The state pays for the vaccine for children, although parents may still be charged a fee for the injection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local researchers have found that the current flu vaccine is 62 percent effective in preventing the virus this season.
“While the vaccine isn’t perfect, the study shows that this year’s flu vaccine offers the population substantial benefits in preventing influenza illness and related visits to the doctor," said Michael L. Jackson, an assistant investigator at Group Health.
Health officials recommend that people with the flu stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone to avoid spreading the virus. Rest, liquids and over the counter medicines are common treatments. Antibiotics don't work against a viral illness.
Previously the flu had been at a regional level. It was upgraded in a new report, meaning the flu is in more than half of the communities in the state, said spokesman Donn Moyer.
Widespread flu is not unusual, but the activity appears to be increasing and could be worse than the previous two seasons, which were considered mild, Moyer said.
"We get to widespread flu activity in our state almost every season," Moyer said. The activity seems to be a little early. It typically peaks in January and February.
"We're ramping up," Moyer said.
Six people have died of the flu so far this season, including one child, all in Western Washington. There were 18 flu deaths in 2011-2012 and 36 the previous year. The most state deaths were 98 in the swine flu season of 2009-2010.
"Every one of these deaths is tragic, especially one that happens to have been a child," Moyer said. "But the numbers are not unusual."
The department reported the first three deaths in December: a 12-year-old Pierce County boy, and a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s in King County.
Three more December deaths were reported last week by Snohomish County: a Bothell woman in her 40s, an Everett woman in her 80s and an Edmonds woman in her 80s.
Those are lab-confirmed flu deaths. Officials believe the flu is a complicating factor in more deaths.
The department urges residents to take the risk seriously and head off the aches, stuffy nose and fatigue with a flu shot. There's no shortage of the vaccine in the state, Moyer said. The shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. The state pays for the vaccine for children, although parents may still be charged a fee for the injection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local researchers have found that the current flu vaccine is 62 percent effective in preventing the virus this season.
“While the vaccine isn’t perfect, the study shows that this year’s flu vaccine offers the population substantial benefits in preventing influenza illness and related visits to the doctor," said Michael L. Jackson, an assistant investigator at Group Health.
Health officials recommend that people with the flu stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone to avoid spreading the virus. Rest, liquids and over the counter medicines are common treatments. Antibiotics don't work against a viral illness.
i had the flu really bad twice  for a week ugh they make such big deal out of nothing.
so. Â and when the media say it widespread i don't get much.
The flu shot offers protection to people with already comprimised immune systems. However I hope that it doesn't come down to be a mandatory requirement for individuals to receive it.
 @Tri-Tri Who is going to make it mandatory? Last I check we are still living in a Free Nation!
There are so many things you can do to prevent from getting the flu or even lessening the symptoms if you happen to fall victim
http://www.examiner.com/article/staying-healthy-during-flu-season-2?cid=db_articles
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http://www.survivetheapocalypse.net/2012/10/18/staying-healthy-this-cold-and-flu-season/
Keep sick people away from you while you stay away from them. Eat healthy and exercise. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water. Take a thorough shower daily. And for added protection, get the flu shot.
I've had it for a week and it is now finally letting up. Hope it doesn't come back for a second round! Last weekend was the worst of it and I was sleeping about 16 hours a day. Still have a bit of a lingering headache.
 @chuckh0308 Same here though I got more sick last year from the whooping cough.
I think that a friend (?) gave it to me visiting me over a week ago.He didn't inform me that he had the flu though he supposedly was to show up days ago for an itme he forgot at my house.Â
I slept for 2 days straight.I am still getting over it though (still sneezing).I've stayed home for well over a week now without going anywhere (so as to not infect others-at least I care).
 @chuckh0308 Did you get a flu shot, Chuck, and get it anyway?  Feel better.
I had a flu shot and I still got sick. It was HORRIBLE. I shudder to think what would have happened if I didn't have the shot. It's been almost a month and I still have a sore throat and cough. I completely lost my voice (which made some people VERY happy) spent days in bed, and coughed up what I'm sure was my spleen. I was miserable. Please people get a flu shot just in case. It might stave off something worse.
 @cm257n7 It would not have been worse without the shot. Either the shot was ineffective for you, or more likely you just got a strain not covered in the vaccine. Still, people should get the shot as it reduces the chance of catching the flu at all.
 @cm257n7 likely nothing worse, you get vaccinated against specific strains that are a guess for that year. So the shot likely didn't contain the strain you caught. Best way to protect yourself is to eat healthy and exercise so your immune system has a chance when you catch it. Also stay away from people who are sick.
My favorite line, "The activity seems to be a little early. It typically peaks in January and February."
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What month is it now?
 @RedRiverBand The activity has been bad since early December. We are one of the last states to be declared widespread.
I have got flu shots for the last 10 years. Never hurts, never been sick since. Before, I did get the flu every 2 or 3 years, and that was not funny. So for me it's working.
I have had a flu shot once whilst in the Air Force (1975), got sick as a dog right afterwards for three days; haven't had a shot since. The last flu/cold I had was in 2006, felt bad for one day. All I can say is get the shots if you want them as for me, no-way. Remember, the shot only protects you (maybe) doesn't do anything for any one else; you can still carry the virus even with the shot.
 @Komo Dragon I had one as well and have had it twice. No shots for me.
 @Komo Dragon I have not had the flu in 18 years, and as far as I can recall that was the only time I got it. I had the flu shot for the first time last year. So for me, NOT getting the shot was far more effective. Or perhaps it was retroactive? ;)
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Better hygiene and staying away from sick people is also an effective way of not getting the flu.
 @nwbackpacker we started shots when we had kids
They have a short memory. The past two years were touted as pandemic or epidemic. I'm sure their credibility would increase substantially if they were to just let people know the flu season is on us and let people know where to get vacinated if they choose instead of making it a major issue with scare tactics every single year.
Thanks for the advice, but the last two times that I had this "magic shot" I got sick violently sick. Haven't had it in three years now and no Flu.. Just some wonderful head colds
Worst sickness I've had in years. I was down 9 days because my immune system was so shot after 3 days of flu I developed a horrible cold.
 @Ducky It's possible that what you got after the flu was actually a bacterial infection. A "super infection" I believe it's called. Your immune system and your body in general was weakened by the flu and then all that gunk in your sinuses could have got infected with bacteria. It happens to my wife when she gets a cold. She gets rid of the cold (which I never catch for some reason) and then a few days later the phlegm in her chest is getting infected and she needs to get antibiotics.
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I am not saying that people shouldn't get vaccinated as it does offer protection against some strains of the flu but not all. I received a flu shot a flu shot just after Thanksgiving. Other reports have stated hat this years flu shot protects against two strains of Type A and one strain of Type B. That is great but there is a second strain of Type B that is infecting about 10% of the population. I went to California over Christmas weekend and returned to Seattle with the flu. The clinic conducted a test in which I tested positive for Type B flu. Although it did not say which particular strain I was infected with, I can deduce that it was the second strain of Type B that got me. Â
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While I was sick, II had a temperature of 101-103 for about 3 days. I was sick for a total of 7 days. This flu infection was particularly brutal. Some flu's you can still semi-function with but not this one. Not a fun way to spend Christmas/New Year's. Stay safe and if you do come down with it, don't try to "tough" it out. Stay hydrated, go to doctor, and take your meds.
Flu this year was feckin' horrible. I was crazy exhausted.
Twice I had the flu shot; twice I ended up with pneumonia. No thanks. You know the best thing you can do to avoid the flu or any sickness? Load up on the vitamin C, eat right, get lots of sleep and stay hydrated. Help your body do what it does best. Oh, and wash your hands. I see so many people leaving the restroom without washing....it's the easiest way to prevent the spread of disease.
Message to Komo and whomever your advertising this nonsense for. No matter how many times you reprint this nonsense, I will NEVER take the flu shot. Go away already!
@snow surfer They're making such a big deal out of it...it came earlier than usual, so what! And the last couple years have been mild flu seasons but because this is a normal one they are trying to make it sound like it's an epidimic....seriously folks! No need to panic! Use common sense and keep your hands clean and away from your face and stay home if you're sick...simple! I'm 50 years old and they didn't have a flu shot back when I was a kid. I don't get the flu. Probably because my body was able to naturally build it's immune system by being exposed to the flu and other illnesses when I was younger. I've never had any of my 5 kids get the shot and they rarely get sick. Yes, when they were little they got the flu and other illnesses but now that they are adults they are rarely sick...because their bodies were allowed to work the way they were meant to and naturally build a healthy immune system..not to mention exercise and eating healthy goes a long way to building a strong immune system!Â
 @hopeforthefuture  @snow I think it's more likely that you lead a healthy lifestyle, eat well, get your minerals and vitamins, and brought up kids that take hygiene seriously.Â
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I know some people that get sick all the time. They're not the healthiest of individuals in general.
 @snow surfer Yup, I agree totally.Â
The best and most responsible thing to do is stay home when you're sick so you don't spread your illness all over your community and to the vulnerable portion of society (infants, chemo patients, the elderly...). For those who claim they can't afford to stay home I'll point out to you that no one else can either.
 @domino I agree. I hate it when people at work are sick and they "soldier on" and come into work like they're some freakin' hero. Well, I for one am not impressed with their disregard for the health of those around them. It's selfish behavior.
 @domino How do you know when you are contagious? Sure, you should stay home when you are sick - you'll tolerate the illlness better if you are home resting. But you can still be terribly contagious before you actually start feeling sick.
Use some common sense, Silvia, you stay home when you realize you're ill.
@Silvia @domino Everyone else needs to use common sense too and realize that germs are everywhere. Keep your hands clean and away from your face! That doesn't stop all germs from getting into your system but it helps...a lot! Eat healthy and get plenty of rest and exercise to help build a strong immune system.Â
 @domino *Of course*. Stay home if you know you are ill. But you need to use common sense and realize that you can still spread your illness all over your community even when you feel perfectly fine. You may *feel* fine, but actually be loaded with flu or cold germs.
62% is almost a roll of the dice.Â
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I'll pass. This whole flu vaccine stuff is nonsense.Â
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Worldwide, swine flu probably killed a few hundred thousand people. I'm not worried about the common flu strains out there.Â
My family all got the flu shot over a month ago. My husband is getting over the flu (he is on day 7), my 2 yr old is on Tamiflu as she got the flu as well (she is on day 4 active flu). I am pregnant and am also on the Tamiflu and have slight flu symptoms. Not saying don't get the flu shot, just saying, we got it and still all tested positive over 4 weeks later with Influenza A. It's not 100 percent by any means. Â Also Tamiflu is totally hard to find right now. Took me about 3 hrs going to 4 different pharmacies and having them call around to find a place that had the stuff, then I had to drive 2 hours round trip to get it.
Hope and all yours get well soon. It sucks to have a sick house. Happy friday at least :>)
also this is the first time I've ever had the flu shot and my kid as well, and we will never do it again. My kid had a horrible reaction to it and was puking for 5 hrs every 20 min, and still ended up getting the flu. Totally useless.
 @GreenTugBoat It's impossible to actually get the flu from the flu shot. You most likely just got a strain that this vaccine didn't protect against.
 @123456789  @GreenTugBoat They didn't say they got the flu from the shot, just that they had a bad reaction (not flu) from the shot. That happens sometimes. The first time I had the shot, last year, my doctor wanted me to stick around in the office for 30 minutes or so to make sure I wasn't one of those that get impacted negatively by the shot.
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Komo and other media outlets would be smart to NOT use pics of people getting the shot, especially if that person looks miserable. Â Most people avoid the shots because, they don't like shot. But yeah.. great going media, show the needles and someone in pain, THAT will get people down there for a shot. Â Derrr.
 @DT People need to suck it up. It only hurts for a second.
 @DT God forbid the media show something for what it is...needles don't bother me at all, but yes for a lot of people they are a deterrent. But fact is the flu vaccine is administered via a shot, meaning a needle. So you would have them show a picture of a happy little child leaving the office with a balloon or lollipop in hand to paint a more favorable image of the vaccination?Â
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I don't see anything in the story that shows the lower efficacy of the vaccination to the elderly (4 of the 6 flu deaths in WA). But they still talk about 6 flu deaths and promote getting a vaccination. I have no issue with people getting the flu shot...especially if they tend to be more immunocompromised. However, I would like a clearer education of the vaccination and really still would like to see a clear research on the efficacy of it.
"Moyer said Friday there's no shortage of flu vaccine in Washington."
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The interesting factoid not usually discussed regarding the flu vaccination is that the two demographics most vulnerable to the flu infants and the elderly, are the age groups the vaccination is least effective on.
 @aintno1special Yes, but they run a good chance of being infected by the non-elderly and non-infants, so that group should get vaccinated.
 @Travis Hartnett ...you have been well trained by the pharmaceutical companies...The efficacy of the flu vaccination is minimal at best...and even when it "researched" to be highly effective it comes out at about 60%. I never tell any patient not to get it, I just never push it, and don't offer it in my offices...The research I have seen performed on it is faulty and biased and the real world experience I have witnessed just doesn't have me sold on the product.
 @Silvia  @aintno1special  @Travis Hartnett Those large well respected medical practices are most likely funded by vaccine companies.  Silvia you may need to have these vaccinations, and that is your right.  How can you expect everyone to think like you?  Do you know
if you are absolutely correct about the flu vaccine?  You just go by what the doctors tell you, and I do not believe they are trying to harm you, but there are other beliefs concerning these vaccines.  Mainstream is not always right.  There was  a time when the mainstream belief was that the world was flat, however it was quite the contrary.  Sometimes it does not harm ones intellect to at least consider the other side of the coin, it only gives you more options.  I would never tell anyone what to do concerning vaccinations, I don't believe there is one answer.  You can't possibly expect everyone to get vaccinated to protect you, that is selfish.  What we can as a society do for you is to not sneeze on you and be considerate when in public, not to go out if we are sick and have good sanitation practices for ourselves and our children.  You should expect people to do that but injecting your body with a vaccine of any kind should not be a civic duty.
 @Silvia  @Travis Hartnett Honestly not sure about the flu shot. I know many colleagues that do not personally get the flu shot. Also when any neighborhood pharmacy offers the flu shot at a lower rate and typically with no wait I know a few clinics that have chosen not to do them office either.
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Not sure if you are insinuating that my offices are not mainstream or well respected or what you are saying about not offering a flu shot. But we are highly respected and successful in spite of it.
 @aintno1special  @Travis Hartnett Thank you. So your views are not mainstream in terms of philosophy about the flu shot (and other immunizations)? I'm not trying to annoy you, just understand your perspective.
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I am a patient at several large, well known and well respected medical practices; I can not imagine any doctor or nurse in those practices NOT offering the flu shot.
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 @Silvia  @Travis Hartnett Endocrinology. I operate clinics that have many different practitioners. I am still licensed, yet no longer actively practice. I have always thought a bit outside the box for a MD, which made me popular (sometimes not in a friendly way). What I do now in 90% admin...
 @aintno1special  @Travis Hartnett May I ask what your training is? Are you an MD/ND, a family doc, an internist, or what? I'm just curious..