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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge)   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • You're on notice 1/7/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, January 7, 2008 Flu season may be here By Sharon Salyer Herald Writer An uptick in influenza cases at The Everett Clinic, matched with increasing reports of the virus throughout Western Washington, could be signs of the beginning of flu season. "We'll know for sure this week as the kids go back to school," said Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, who monitors flu cases at The Everett Clinic, which has offices throughout Snohomish County. "My prediction is that this is probably the beginning of influenza season this year." The number of flu cases has begun to rise in the past week, he said, with 15 of the 65 patients who came into the offices with flulike symptoms testing positive for a strain of the flu. At the same time last year, the clinic had tested just 35 patients, and only three had tested positive for flu. Flu symptoms develop within a matter of hours and include severe muscle aches, sore throat and cough and fever. Nationally, up to 20 percent of people get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from influenza, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older adults, young children and people with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease are at higher risk for serious flu complications. The state Department of Health is getting sporadic reports of the flu in the Puget Sound region. "It's still at low levels," said Phyllis Shoemaker, state influenza coordinator. But she, too, expects the number of cases to pick up this week as more kids return to school and more adults are back at work. Typically, the flu hits hardest during the end of January and into February. "So we're getting into the season," she said. A number of clinics in Snohomish County are reporting scattered flu cases so far. Group Health's Everett Medical Center has treated a few patients with influenza "but nothing big to report so far," said spokeswoman Katie McCarthy. Providence Physician Group's Mill Creek clinic has had about 10 flu cases in the past two weeks. Of the 81 flu tests ordered for patients treated at the Stevens Hospital emergency room or at its clinics, only four came back positive for influenza, said spokesman Jack Kirkman. Kathy Nelson, spokeswoman for Valley General Hospital in Monroe, said several patients were treated for flu in the emergency department, "but no one's feeling like it's a big issue yet." The Snohomish Health District hasn't had any reports yet this winter of flu outbreaks in area schools, said spokeswoman Suzanne Pate. Even though the traditional flu season is rapidly approaching, it's not too late to get a flu shot, she said. The countywide public health agency still has 2,500 adult doses of the vaccine and 1,600 pediatric doses, said Kelly Sylliaasen, vaccine coordinator. And most area clinics still report having supplies of the shot for those who want it. Influenza is just one of the nasty viruses that doctors are now treating. Patients are also being sickened by a respiratory virus that looks similar to the flu but can cause bronchitis, particularly in children age 3 or younger. "These kids come in with high fevers," which can spike at 103, 104 or 105 degrees, Tu said. "With viral infections you don't have a lot of treatment options," he said. Nonaspirin pain relievers, such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin, are recommended, particularly for children 18 and younger, Tu said. The reason is that scientists have found a link between children with a viral infections who take aspirin and Reye's Syndrome. The syndrome causes confusion, agitation and delirium, and it can result in long-term neurologic complications, coma or death in as many as one-third of patients affected by the disorder, according to the CDC. Children and adults should seek medical treatment for the flu or other viruses if they become unresponsive or confused, have trouble breathing, or experience dehydration, such as dry mouth in infants, he said. Herald reporter Sharon Salyer 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

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