University of Kansas Hospital
KANSAS CITY, KAN.—With the Kansas Department of Health and Environment referring to the current flu outbreak as an “epidemic,” The University of Kansas Hospital reports there continue to be significant numbers of patients in the hospital with confirmed cases of the flu, but the hospital is currently accommodating the surge.
The latest numbers from the hospital show 23 inpatients with confirmed cases of the flu with 13 others hospitalized with flu like symptoms and awaiting laboratory confirmations of a flu diagnosis.
There have been two flu deaths among hospital patients in the last two weeks.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Influenza on the rise in Kansas
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Influenza activity has increased substantially in Kansas, and health officials are encouraging everyone six months of age and older to get vaccinated, if they have not already done so this season.
Based on data from the Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), influenza activity has increased in nearly every region of the state.
Overall, more than 10 percent of patient visits to ILINet clinics during the week ending December 20, 2014 were due to influenza-like illness, and Kansas is reporting “widespread” influenza activity. Since September 1, 2014 through December 20, 2014, 333 influenza- or pneumonia-related deaths have been reported in Kansas during the current influenza season.
Based on data from the Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), influenza activity has increased in nearly every region of the state.
Overall, more than 10 percent of patient visits to ILINet clinics during the week ending December 20, 2014 were due to influenza-like illness, and Kansas is reporting “widespread” influenza activity. Since September 1, 2014 through December 20, 2014, 333 influenza- or pneumonia-related deaths have been reported in Kansas during the current influenza season.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
KU Hospital: Hundreds of flu shots are still available
National statistics show the flu season may have peaked, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, yet. Plenty of people are still very sick from what doctors call an early and severe flu season.
“The good news is the flu strains out there now are the exact flu strains in the vaccination,” Lee Norman, MD, chief medical officer for The University of Kansas Hospital said, “so people can feel good about getting the right vaccine for the right reasons.”
It’s not too late to get a flu shot. While some local medical outlets are reporting shortages, The University of Kansas Hospital has several hundred on hand and has ordered 500 more doses.
In addition to the flu, children have been battling a strong season of RSV this year.
“RSV is a virus with similar symptoms to the flu attacking children’s respiratory systems,” Mike Lewis, MD and pediatrician said. Dr. Lewis said so far, all of his flu cases have been children who did not have a flu shot.
Children can get their first flu shot at age six months and until age eight require a booster shot one month later to be fully protected from the flu.
Older children and adults who routinely get flu shots need only one vaccination each year.
“The good news is the flu strains out there now are the exact flu strains in the vaccination,” Lee Norman, MD, chief medical officer for The University of Kansas Hospital said, “so people can feel good about getting the right vaccine for the right reasons.”
It’s not too late to get a flu shot. While some local medical outlets are reporting shortages, The University of Kansas Hospital has several hundred on hand and has ordered 500 more doses.
In addition to the flu, children have been battling a strong season of RSV this year.
“RSV is a virus with similar symptoms to the flu attacking children’s respiratory systems,” Mike Lewis, MD and pediatrician said. Dr. Lewis said so far, all of his flu cases have been children who did not have a flu shot.
Children can get their first flu shot at age six months and until age eight require a booster shot one month later to be fully protected from the flu.
Older children and adults who routinely get flu shots need only one vaccination each year.
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