Latest news with #InfluenzaB
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Flu virus that can lead to paralysis and brain swelling detected in California's wastewater
A seasonal flu virus that can lead to paralysis has been detected in California wastewater. Influenza B has been shown at a 'high' level over the last six weeks, according to recent data from Stanford University's WastewaterScan. The highly contagious respiratory virus triggers seasonal illness every fall and winter can also result in more severe and life-threatening conditions. For example, it can trigger the rare Guillain-Barré Syndrome: a condition that causes muscle weakness and even paralysis. While the autoimmune disorder's cause is not fully understood, the syndrome often follows infection with a virus. Infection may also generate other neurological complications, including encephalitis. Encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain, can also lead to paralysis, seizures, and other issues. While the less common influenza B — which only affects humans and mutates less easily — is not as likely to cause pandemics as is Influenza A, it can still result in outbreaks, according to the National Council on Aging. Furthermore, influenza B tends to circulate later in the flu season, often peaking in the spring. Detection of the influence B virus comes on the heels of one of the Golden State's deadliest flu seasons, with state officials tallying more than 900 deaths by February. 'There's no doubt there's a lot of respiratory viruses,' Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco, told SFGATE. And, influenza B isn't the only respiratory virus Californians need to be concerned about. While Covid cases have plummeted, cases of respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, and Enterovirus D68 are also at levels deemed 'high.' EV-D68, which has no known cure, can cause polio-like paralysis in children. Levels of EV-D68 were rising in the Bay Area and Southern California last fall. RSV kills more than 100,000 infants worldwide each year and HMPV can result in bronchitis and pneumonia. Plus, it's possible to get a double infection. That's even the case for both influenza strains. However, data from the state's Department of Public Health shows only a small percentage of eligible Californians have received the appropriate respiratory virus vaccines. At the beginning of the month, the department reported that influenza activity was low. 'While the numbers are low, there's still a lot of virus circulating and people getting sick,' John Swartzberg, a clinical professor emeritus at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, told SFGATE.
The Independent
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Flu virus that can lead to paralysis and brain swelling detected in California's wastewater
A seasonal flu virus that can lead to paralysis has been detected in California wastewater. Influenza B has been shown at a 'high' level over the last six weeks, according to recent data from Stanford University's WastewaterScan. The highly contagious respiratory virus triggers seasonal illness every fall and winter can also result in more severe and life-threatening conditions. For example, it can trigger the rare Guillain-Barré Syndrome: a condition that causes muscle weakness and even paralysis. While the autoimmune disorder's cause is not fully understood, the syndrome often follows infection with a virus. Infection may also generate other neurological complications, including encephalitis. Encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain, can also lead to paralysis, seizures, and other issues. While the less common influenza B — which only affects humans and mutates less easily — is not as likely to cause pandemics as is Influenza A, it can still result in outbreaks, according to the National Council on Aging. Furthermore, influenza B tends to circulate later in the flu season, often peaking in the spring. Detection of the influence B virus comes on the heels of one of the Golden State's deadliest flu seasons, with state officials tallying more than 900 deaths by February. 'There's no doubt there's a lot of respiratory viruses,' Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco, told SFGATE. And, influenza B isn't the only respiratory virus Californians need to be concerned about. While Covid cases have plummeted, cases of respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, and Enterovirus D68 are also at levels deemed 'high.' EV-D68, which has no known cure, can cause polio-like paralysis in children. Levels of EV-D68 were rising in the Bay Area and Southern California last fall. RSV kills more than 100,000 infants worldwide each year and HMPV can result in bronchitis and pneumonia. Plus, it's possible to get a double infection. That's even the case for both influenza strains. However, data from the state's Department of Public Health shows only a small percentage of eligible Californians have received the appropriate respiratory virus vaccines. At the beginning of the month, the department reported that influenza activity was low. 'While the numbers are low, there's still a lot of virus circulating and people getting sick,' John Swartzberg, a clinical professor emeritus at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, told SFGATE.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Could Washington see another rough flu season?
Flu activity is decreasing across Western Washington, but one doctor at UW Medicine admits the season so far has been pretty rough. According to the Washington State Department of Health, 296 lab-confirmed flu deaths have been reported for the 2024-2025 season. Dr. Ana Weil told KIRO 7 that flu activity has decreased a bit in the Pacific Northwest since January and February, but it's still out there. 'I would precaution people from totally moving on,' she said. Dr. Weil told KIRO 7 that one reason for the severity of this flu season is that doctors are dealing with two strains of flu virus, influenza A and Influenza B. She said the strains usually run consecutively, meaning one shows up first and the other a bit later, but this year they showed up simultaneously. Both are also still out there. 'It's a bit unusual how we had so much influenza b at the same time,' she said. She said she hopes that a major conference that helps pick next season's flu vaccine will happen after it was postponed earlier this year. It's called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). U.S. agencies like the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) examine findings, make predictions, and tell pharmaceutical companies what to make for the next season. The CDC website shows that ACIP was postponed with no future date set. Dr. Weil knows the new vaccine can take months to produce so she hopes the conference happens; otherwise, another rough flu season could be on the way in the winter.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Flu deaths on the rise in King County
A Redmond couple was hit hard by the flu. And is happening a week after the Centers for Disease Control canceled a meeting to discuss next year's flu vaccine. That decision caught the medical community by surprise. Meanwhile, King County is experiencing a sharp rise in flu deaths. This time last year, 27 people had died from influenza. This year, that number is a whopping 51 people who died from the flu. Hospitals and urgent care clinics are seeing this rise in flu cases. The statistics from King County show nearly eight percent of those visiting hospitals because of the flu. That's more than 1,200 visits to the ER by people sick with the flu. KIRO 7 talked to a Redmond couple who know that fact all too well. 'I did have the flu,' said Judy Rantz Willman. 'And my husband also had the flu. Only he had B influenza and I had A influenza.' Judy can laugh about it now. But in mid-February, she and her husband, Ray, were really sick. 'We were both sick for two weeks,' Ray confirmed. 'Yeah,' agreed Judy. 'He had pneumonia along with the flu.' Ray ended up at Overlake Medical Center. But the disease was pretty rough for Judy, too. 'Even if I hadn't been coughing with trying to breathe, it's just everything hurt,' she said, chuckling. 'Everything.' 'We've had a large uptick in Influenza A and now we're actually, over the last week, seeing an uptick in Influenza B as well,' confirmed Overlake Family Medicine Dr. Jennifer Spence. She blames the uptick on the isolation, and the masks that COVID-19 once required. 'We're used to being constantly exposed to things,' said Dr. Spence. 'So, we're going to have to rebuild the immunity to all of those bugs. And we're going to have to keep getting vaccinated against all of those illnesses.' But just last week, the Centers for Disease Control postponed the first public vaccine meeting under the new federal administration, delaying work to figure out which vaccines to push out next year. 'I do hope those can go forward,' said UW Medicine infectious disease specialist Ana Weil, 'so, that vaccine can be manufactured in a timely manner and people can get their vaccine in the fall.' Dr. Weil says the consequences could impact us all. She was asked if she worries if the flu vaccine isn't readily available. 'The flu vaccine, I do worry that rates will increase,' she said. If more people get the flu, she says, more people could die. So, what to do? It's old advice by now: wash your hands often, wear a mask to avoid being exposed, and stay home if you're sick.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Allen County reports state's first pediatric flu death of season
Feb. 21—LIMA — Allen County Public Health confirmed the county's and state's first pediatric flu death of the season Friday. The individual was a teenager under the age of 18 who resided in Allen County, according to a news release from the health department, which did not specify the person's age or date of death. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends affected by this loss," Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer said in the release. "This death is a reminder that flu can be a severe illness, especially for those at higher risk, such as older adults, young children, pregnant individuals and people with underlying health conditions." Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Flu activity has increased rapidly since the beginning of the year, with current activity very high. "Sadly, this tragic death reminds us that influenza, though common, is a serious health threat," said ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff in a press release. "We urge parents to protect their kids." Residents should practice good hand hygiene and stay home when sick to avoid spreading illness during peak flu season, Fischer said. It isn't too late for a flu shot either, particularly as hospitals in other parts of the U.S. start to report cases of Influenza B, which tends to circulate in the spring, Fischer said. "Vaccines offer good protection for that," Fischer said, noting that a person can catch the flu twice in one year if they are exposed to both strains of the flu in the same season. Flu shots are available at Allen County Public Health by appointment, as well as at retail pharmacies and doctors' offices. Since the start of the season, more than 9,000 influenza-related hospitalizations were reported in Ohio, according to the ODH. Ohio typically has between one and six influenza-related pediatric deaths each season. Featured Local Savings
