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.
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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.”
Allen County, OH (WLIO) - Allen County Public Health is reporting an increase in both COVID and Flu cases in the area. Recent numbers show tha…
They will be visiting five different locations starting this Thursday and ending next Tuesday to administer shots during the walk-in clinics. These clinics are on top of their regularly scheduled clinics every Tuesday at the health department. You will need to bring your COVID card or your insurance card depending on which shot you are getting. Officials hope people take advantage of the clinics to make sure their holidays are healthier.
The CDC says RSV cases in the country have reached a two-year high. The virus causes symptoms similar to the common cold and can be severe in infants and older adults. The virus is most common from November to early spring, and several states are already running out of beds in children's hospitals. We spoke to a family medicine doctor at Mercy Health-St. Rita's who says they still have plenty of bed space but are concerned with the growing number of cases this early.
Today is World Polio Day and Lima Rotarians heard about the fight to eliminate the disease. Internationally, Rotarians have donated more than 2 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours protecting nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries. With it being 99.9% eradicated many may not know what the polio virus can do.
Doctors say vaccines are the best way to stay healthy – but add that not all illnesses are preventable with vaccination. They add we'll likely see more colds and flu this year, in addition to COVID. That's because people aren't masking as much and we've had less exposure to respiratory illnesses throughout the pandemic. So, it's important to add extra layers of protection.
Allen County Public Health is reporting 3 to 5 cases a day but that does not include any home testing that people are not reporting that is positive. The severity of the symptoms on a whole is less but that is not to say it can’t knock you off your feet. Health officials say the virus is still unpredictable with strains that are appearing to be more contagious, and they are prepared if there is an uptick.
The Allen County Health Commissioner announced Wednesday that county COVID numbers have dropped. Just as fast as we spiked with the OMICRON variant cases, we are now declining in the number of cases being reported. Unfortunately, there are still COVID-related deaths being reported. It was just a week or so ago when we were seeing 300-plus cases per day and now we are around 20 cases being reported daily.
Allen County is seeing a slight increase in reported cases, and they expect those numbers to rise as those contracting the virus at family gatherings are just coming to light. Allen County Public Health reports there have been no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant but that doesn’t mean it’s not here and the severity of the COVID virus differs.