Tag: flu season

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Flu or COVID-19? How Can You Tell the Difference in Kids

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Clinical Contributors to this Story
HUMC David M. Walker, M.D. contributes to topics such as Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine

Hackensack NJ, Flu season is ramping up, and your child begins to develop a runny nose or fever. A year ago that might not have caused too much concern – but now that first symptom may trigger fear that he or she has COVID-19.

“Children are at risk for a wide variety of respiratory illnesses, especially during the winter due to dry air and the fact that we are more often indoors,” says David Walker, M.D., chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. “It is important for parents to have basic information about the flu and COVID-19 and to know when it’s necessary to get help.”

Continue reading Flu or COVID-19? How Can You Tell the Difference in Kids

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New Jersey Department of Health Reports Fourth Pediatric Flu Death This Season

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A fourth New Jersey child has died from flu complications this season, Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal announced today.

The toddler, from northern New Jersey, died in a hospital early March and had several underlying medical conditions. To protect patient privacy, the Department will not be releasing additional information.

“I am deeply saddened for the family of this young child,” Commissioner Elnahal said. “We are still seeing high flu activity across the state. It’s not too late to get a flu shot to protect yourself and others who may not be able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.”

It is especially important for children, the elderly, health care workers and people with certain health conditions who are at high risk for serious flu complications to get vaccinated, Commissioner Elnahal emphasized. Influenza can cause severe illness and unfortunately can be deadly, especially in these vulnerable populations. 

The Department also recommends that people take necessary precautions during this flu season: wash or disinfect your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home and call your health care provider if you are sick (especially with a fever).

Residents can find flu vaccination clinics by calling their local health department or by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/flu-finder-widget.html.

Local health department contact information can be found here: www.localhealth.nj.gov 

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Village of Ridgewood and Valley Hospital Announce Flu Shot Clinic

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September 22,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Health Department reminds you that influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007 the CDC states that in the United States range from a low of a…bout 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During recent flu seasons, between 80% and 90% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older. “Flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. During this time, flu viruses are circulating at higher levels in the U.S. population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses. There are also flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines). These vaccines protect against the same viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.

The CDC recommends for the 2017–18 season, quadrivalent and trivalent influenza vaccines will be available. Inactivated influenza vaccines (IIVs) will be available in trivalent (IIV3) and quadrivalent (IIV4) formulations. Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) will be available in trivalent (RIV3) and quadrivalent (RIV4) formulations. Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) is not recommended for use during the 2017–18 season due to concerns about its effectiveness against (H1N1)pdm09 viruses during the 2013–14 and 2015–16 seasons. Recommendations for different vaccine types and specific populations are discussed. No preferential recommendation is made for one influenza vaccine product over another for persons for whom more than one licensed, recommended product is available.

Ridgewood will hold its Annual Flu Clinic on Thursday, October 26, 2017 in the Anne Zusy Youth Center in Village Hall located at 131 N. Maple Ave., between 10:00am and 12:00pm. You Must Call For an Appointment. Please call Valley Community Health at 201-291-6090 to make your appointment.
For those 65 Years and Over the Flu Shot will be Free with Medicare Part B –No HMO Medicare Accepted. For those 6 Months – 64 Years the Flu Vaccine will cost $27.00 (Cash Or Check Only)