Our Site |
|
|
USA Weekend |
|
|
|
Web posted
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Flu spreading across state
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WICHITA (AP) -- Though it arrived fairly late this year, influenza appears to be quickly spreading across the state, causing an increase in sick days for businesses and in some cases, filling up hospital beds.
Five of Kansas' six regions are reporting widespread flu-like illnesses, said Joe Blubaugh, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Only southeast Kansas has been spared so far, he said.
The usual peak for flu is in early to mid-January, though some years it has peaked in December.
''It's starting to pick up,'' said Lois Rahal, an infection control nurse at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. ''People from the emergency room are needing to be admitted.''
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this year's flu vaccine doesn't protect against all strains that are circulating. Even in years when the vaccine is a good match with the strains going around, some people who get a flu shot still get the flu.
Still, health officials say most of the patients they are seeing haven't gotten a flu shot.
''We could have had a lot more (illness) if we hadn't provided the flu shots,'' said Jackie Berger, a spokeswoman for Hawker Beechcraft in Wichita.
The company offered free flu shots to thousands of employees at multiple locations, making it easier for more people to get them, Berger said.
Chock Chapple, chief executive of Wichita insurance brokerage Commercial Insurance Group said at least half of his 22 employees have called in sick and been absent two to four days.
''It has been a tough 30 days because of the flu,'' Chapple said Monday. ''This might be the first day that we've been fully staffed.''
He said the company is encouraging any employees who think they might have to flu to go see a doctor right away. He is hoping that will cut down on the number of days workers are absent from the office.
Kevin Hoppock, a family practice physician in Wichita, said antiviral drugs can shorten the severity and duration of the flu if it is diagnosed within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Family members also can take medication to help prevent the illness.
Rahal said the spike of flu cases at Wesley has resulted in a scramble to find beds for patients because those with the flu have to be kept away from others.
The situation is the same at Wichita State University, where Student Health Services had 10 calls by 8:30 a.m. Monday from people experiencing severe coughs, sore throats and achiness.
''We're doing some double-booking'' of appointments, said Marilyn Yourdon, student health director, who added that some of her staff members also have become ill.
|
|
|
|
