-Caveat Lector- Flu slams Texas this season http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=320&xlc=946442 &xld=320 By Don Finley Express-News Medical Editor
Web Posted : 02/11/2003 12:00 AM Texas is in the midst of one of the oddest influenza seasons in memory, with five distinct strains circulating in the state. And it's showing no sign of abating, health officials said Monday. Flash graphic The spread of flu To view the graphic you must have the Flash plugin. The worst offender has been a strain known as B-Hong Kong, which has swept through schools across the state, causing high absentee rates and forcing some schools and districts to close their doors temporarily. B-Hong Kong last circulated in the late 1980s and early 1990s, so school- age children have no immunity to the virus. And most school-age children are not vaccinated against flu, although new federal guidelines recommend that children ages 6 months to 23 months get flu shots beginning this year. B-Hong Kong is one of the three strains this year's vaccine protects against. "This is unprecedented, the number of schools and school districts that have been closed this year," said Neil Pascoe, who tracks flu for the Texas Department of Health. "As of last week, 53 school districts have closed (in Texas sometime during the flu season). How many last year? None." Although B-Hong Kong has been the primary strain, Texas also has seen a second B strain and three A strains in smaller numbers. A-type flu strains tend to be more genetically stable, permitting people to develop some immunity from year to year. B strains are more sporadic and vary more, causing more problems among the young. Texas has been unusual in the severity of the season, and the number of strains circulating, Pascoe said. At the beginning of February, only six states including Texas were reporting widespread flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although February is a bit late to get a flu shot, Pascoe urged people who haven't yet had one to consider getting it. "If we have a second wave of influenza A, this is going to be a real nasty season," Pascoe said. San Antonio has been hard hit. "We've had a big pool of kiddos" with the flu, said Roger Sanchez, an epidemiologist with the Metropolitan Health District. "Once it gets to a school, it runs through the whole student body. We've seen close to 20 percent absentee rates in some instances. Then a week later, it's back down to normal." "Some of my school nurses that have been with me a long time, it's been so long they can't remember when we've had years like this before," said Shirley Schreiber, director of health services for the Northside School District. Along with flu, a lot of other nasty bugs are circulating, including upper respiratory viruses, strep throat, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and so on. "We were seeing a virus with vomiting, diarrhea, then some strep throat, as well as the flu," Schreiber said. "The difference is, with the flu, those kids were pretty sick with high temperatures for about three or four days. I've had a number of my staff people out also." The health district still has flu vaccine available through its clinics. For information or clinic locations, call (210) 207-8750. The district charges $10 for adults and $5 for each of the two pediatric doses required. Seniors over 65 and other at-risk groups can receive the pneumonia vaccine, a one-time shot, at the same visit. Medicare, Medicaid, CareLink, Community First and CHIP card carriers will not be charged for the flu shot upon proof of coverage. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 02/11/2003 Forwarded for your information. 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