Infectious Strain of Flu Hits Area Hard
This year the flu is peaking early and intensely. It’s one of the most active seasons in decades, and a nasty strain is going around. Area hospitals are at capacity and pharmacies are scrambling to stock medicine. In Jefferson County last week, almost five percent of hospital visits were for flu or flu-like illness. For the same week last year, that was just more than one percent, according to the Jefferson County Department of Health.
“This is probably the busiest we’ve been during the flu season,” UAB medical epidemiologist Bernard Camins says.
The hospital is juggling staff and trying to find space to handle patient overflow.
“You actually use areas in the hospital that are not normally used for inpatient care,” says Camins. “But we still keep them isolated, so we don’t spread it.”
UAB is canceling elective surgeries through Monday, too.
Camins says the current H3N2 flu strain is very infectious. And the recent cold weather drove people inside to crowded spaces, so it spread fast. Plus the latest flu vaccine is not especially effective against this strain. Now area pharmacists are scrambling to stock Tamiflu and other medicines.
But, Camins says, “The good news is that this particular strain is very sensitive to Tamiflu, so it would work.”
That’s if you take it within 48 hours of your first symptoms. Experts also say it’s still worth getting vaccinated because you could be the one out of 10 people for whom it offers protection, or you might get some partial protection. And there could be another flu peak later this season.
Dr. Camins and others say avoid hospitals and urgent care unless you have severe symptoms like trouble breathing. They say if you have typical flu symptoms – aches, cough, sneezing, chills – stay home. Get medical advice if you’re not sure. And as always, wash your hands.
UAB building among Alabama’s first to feature ‘bird safe’ glass
Advocates hope the new glass will prevent window collisions, a leading causes of bird mortality.
Researchers look into community health impact of wood pellet production in rural Mississippi
Brown University and Tougaloo College students are testing for potential air and noise pollution near the Drax wood pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi.
Alabama coal company sued for a home explosion is delinquent on dozens of penalties
Crimson Oak Grove Resources has been cited for 204 safety violations since the March 8 blast, many involving “significant and substantial” safety violations.
The United Auto Workers faces a key test in the South with upcoming vote at Alabama Mercedes plant
The United Auto Workers is aiming for a key victory at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama. More than 5,000 workers at the facility in Vance and nearby battery plant will vote this week on whether to join the UAW.
Gambling, ethics bills fall short as legislative session ends
Alabama lawmakers closed the books on this year’s regular legislative session Thursday. While Republican leaders passed many of their priority bills, perhaps the most talked about issue – gambling – died.
A look at what passed and failed in the 2024 legislative session
Alabama lawmakers have ended a 2024 legislative session that saw the Republican majority win approval for a number of their top priorities.
