Friday, 29 February 2008 01:04
Flu Epidemic
Flu season is in full swing, and with packed emergency rooms across the country, the CDC has declared epidemic status in 49 out of 50 states. That's up from 44 states last week. Karen Woods, Emergency Department Director at Sutter Amador Hospital, is in a unique position to observe how the flu has affected the local population. “We usually have only so many beds and staff and we have to plan for surge capacity,” said Woods. “This (season) we’re receiving 20 percent above our normal volume.” Many experts blame the increase in patients on this season’s flu shot. The vaccine only covered two of the three major strains.
Normally the vaccine eliminates more than 70% of potential cases, but this year it's only 40 percent. The flu vaccine currently takes up to nine months to create. When scientists prepare the coming year's formula they have to guess which strains are going to be dominant months in advance. This year they guessed wrong. In Sutter Amador’s populous, flu patients have increased from an average census of 42 to 60. In order to meet demand, Woods says they have increased there core staff by an average of two, but some days it could be more depending on the quantity of patients. Although those over the age of 60 are still the most affected, Woods has observed an increasing number of middle age and pediatric patients. She stressed the importance of preventative care, like washing hands to prevent droplets spread from coughing. She encourages people to get flu vaccines. An estimated 36,000 Americans die each year from influenza.
