INFLUENZA MISSISSIPPI DECEMBER 4,2012

Influenza activity appears  big time in our state. The CDC Flu View for the week ending November 24,2012-categorizes Mississippi’s flu activity as widespread.Only 3 other states –South Carolina, New York and Alaska join us in this categorization.The current Mississippi listing through the  MississippiDept of Health lists only 29 cases thru that same time period. This is not a true reflection of the total number of cases but rather  a report from a selected number of sites which reflects distribution. For example in our Emergency Room –we have had 25 + rapid Influenza tests in November and 10 tests + in December through only the first 4 days–35 total with 2 admissions.The State data reflects zero + cases in Hinds county and only 2 in Rankin.

Take home message:

1.Get your flu shots right away if you have not already one–if you are 6 months of age or over.

2.If you experience a febrile respiratory illness–make sure your doctor checks you for the  flu and consider empiric

administration of Tamiflu.

3,Go to the cdc.gov web site for much more info.

Happy Holidays to all. Dr. Smith and staff