February 21, 2025, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Health: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) today is reporting the state’s first flu-associated pediatric death of the 2024-25 flu season, a teenager under the age of 18 from Allen County.
Seems like people may have been passing along more than gifts and good tidings over the holiday season. Ohio health officials say that hospitalizations because of influenza have increased by 116%, and medical officials are also seeing the spread of norovirus across the United States. Norovirus causes predominantly nausea, vomiting, and some diarrhea; it is also highly contagious. Flu can be more serious with body aches, fever, cough, and other respiratory problems.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says that bird flu may have been found in waterfowl in Auglaize and Mercer counties. They collected many dead wild birds to be tested for highly pathogenic avian flu, and they say that the virus is presumed to be found in eleven counties, including Auglaize and Mercer Counties. Canada geese, trumpeter swans, and mallards have been tested in the last few weeks.
This is the first confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu at a commercial facility in Ohio in 2024.
It's the season of giving and receiving, but it's not so welcome when the topic is the cold or flu. Before getting together with friends and family for the holiday, people may want to be on the lookout to make sure no one is sick. To prevent catching any illness, experts say it only takes one easy step. Wash your hands for 20 seconds, then use a paper towel to turn off the water. And if you're not feeling the best, stop and think: Is it really worth getting a loved one sick?
It’s cold and flu season, and most of us will encounter a virus at some point. So, how does our immune system work to keep us healthy? According to Michaela Gack, PhD, Scientific Director of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center, once we fight off a virus, our immune system does its best to protect us from a second infection. “Whenever we have a second infection, these antibodies can be produced and thereby protect us but there are some limitations,” said Dr. Gack. “It only works if it’s the same virus or very similar virus.”
The CDC reports there’s been an increase in cases of ‘walking pneumonia’ among young children, which is sure to have some parents concerned. “Right now, we are seeing a lot of all different types of pneumonia. There’s bacterial, viral and what we call atypical pneumonia. Walking pneumonia usually refers to an atypical pneumonia, and we're certainly seeing a lot more of that, but walking pneumonia can be different things,” explained Camille Sabella, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist for Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “It's usually not your standard bacterial pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is usually caused by something called mycoplasma pneumonia, but it can also be very similar to viral pneumonias as well.”
August 27, 2024, Press Release from Mercy Health: LIMA, OHIO (August 27, 2024) – As a new school year begins and students prepare to hit the books, their parents are bracing for the inevitable wave of back-to-school germs. Classrooms and extracurricular activities can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, making it crucial for parents to take proactive steps to fight illnesses.
Influenza is usually peaking around now but local health officials say the number of cases is way down. Could it be associated with the measures that have been taken to reduce the spread of the coronavirus? Washing hands, social distancing even wearing masks seem to be making a difference.
