People of all ages get sick with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19, but dealing with these diseases can be especially trying for parents of young children. Fortunately, in most cases these viruses cause mild illness that can be treated at home by managing fever and pain and drinking lots of clear fluids. In [...]
No one wants to experience the fever, cough, and body aches that often come with influenza. That's especially true with the holiday season quickly approaching. The good news: You can still get the 2022-23 influenza vaccine for protection against the flu this year. Arizona is experiencing a busy flu season so far. Since the season [...]
As you’re preparing for the holidays, now is a great time to add COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations to your to-do list. It takes at least two weeks to build antibody protection after vaccination. Getting your Omicron COVID-19 booster and flu shot now — and you can get both in one visit — means your immune [...]
Pinal County recently recorded this season’s first pediatric influenza death in Arizona. This heartbreaking news is a reminder that children younger than 5 who get influenza are among those at increased risk of complications including pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions, encephalopathy, and sinus and ear infections. Quite simply, influenza is an unpredictable virus that can [...]
This time of the year, many adults and children catch the common cold. Sometimes, what looks like a cold can actually be RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Many people recover quickly from RSV in a week or two, but it can be potentially more serious for others such as infants and elderly individuals. Arizona is [...]
Like COVID-19 has proven to be, seasonal influenza is predictably unpredictable. Case in point: Arizona is currently seeing increasing numbers of influenza cases much later than the five-year average shows, though overall numbers for this flu season aren’t as high as some recent seasons. Other states are seeing a similar trend. COVID-19 and influenza share [...]
A year ago, the precautions so many Arizonans took against COVID-19 - staying indoors, avoiding large groups, and wearing masks - also helped protect against the flu. There were fewer flu cases in 2020 compared to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many Arizonans have returned to their pre-pandemic routines, [...]
Arizona’s last influenza season was record breaking. More than 35,000 people in Arizona were reported to be sick with flu – more people than during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic! Similarly, the rest of the country was hit hard last season with nearly one million Americans hospitalized and over 80,000 dying from flu. Getting your influenza [...]
The 2018–2019 influenza season has arrived in Arizona! Since the beginning of October, Arizona had 56 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza reported from 10 counties, compared to 16 cases typically seen at this time of year. This means if you and your family have not been vaccinated for this season, now is the time. The influenza [...]
If you haven’t been vaccinated, protect yourself by getting your flu shot today. Just like putting on your seat belt, getting vaccinated can save you a trip to the hospital. If you or your children are sick with influenza, take precautions like staying home when you’re sick and covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. [...]
