Flu Season Getting Better, But Still Worse Than Last Year

The number of cases seems to be decreasing in Cuyahoga County.

Don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet—it looks like the flu is easing up in Cuyahoga County, but it’s still worse than last year at this time.  Cuyahoga County provides weekly influenza reports on its website. According to the most recent report, which ended Jan. 12, flu-related hospitalizations in the area were down from the past few weeks—65 hospitalizations compared to about 140 each the previous two weeks. And emergency room and doctor visits for flu-like symptoms were also down.  But there were about 110 more emergency department visits for flu-like symptoms and about 55 more over-the-counter medications purchased per drug store than the same time period last year.  If you’re still planning to get a flu shot—or you just want some …

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Flu Season Still Going Strong Across Ohio

There have been more than 2,500 flu-related hospitalizations across the state so far this season.

This has already been an intense season for the flu in Ohio and across the country.  Cuyahoga County provides weekly influenza reports on its website. As of Jan. 18, the most recent report—which ended on Jan. 5—showed a lot of flu activity in the area. This report was posted last week, so click here for more details. The Ohio Department of Health’s website has some more recent information, and some of the figures are staggering. There have already been more than 2,500 flu-related hospitalizations across the state as of Jan. 12. Compare that to 175 last year, and 86 the year before for the same time period. The department notes that there has been a “dramatic and early increase” this season, and includes a chart that shows just that.  If …

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Have You Gotten a Flu Shot?

The flu has been spreading quickly in Cuyahoga County so far this year.

Flu Still Widespread in Cuyahoga County

The illness has been reaching high levels across the state and country.

Ohio is in the midst of an “unusually” active influenza season, the Ohio Department of Health reports.  The Cuyahoga County Board of Health tracks influenza activity by the week. According to the most recent report, which ended on Jan. 5, flu activity in the county is still “widespread,” but the figures look a bit better than last week. Flu-related hospitalizations were down a bit after a sharp increase last week. This week, there were 59 flu-related hospitalizations. Last week, there were 134, and the week before, there were 73.  About 4 percent of all emergency department visits were for fever or flu symptoms, down from 4.9 percent the week before.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity continues to …

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Did You Get a Flu Shot This Year?

The flu season is already underway.

Flu Season Picking Up in Cuyahoga County

The number of influenza-related cases has been on the rise in recent weeks.

Make sure you have your tissues and ginger ale ready—flu season is picking up in Cuyahoga County.  The Cuyahoga County Board of Health tracks influenza activity by the week. According to the most recent report, which ended on Dec. 22, there was “widespread” flu activity in the county. About 5 percent of all emergency department visits were for flu-related symptoms during that time, and throughout December, there were about 24 to 34 flu-related hospitalizations each week.  Google.org’s flu trends for Cleveland show numbers increasing rapidly in recent weeks and reaching “intense” levels.  The county’s figures show that complaints for symptoms of the flu—like congestion, coughing and vomiting—are all slightly higher than they were at this …

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Where to Find a Flu Shot in Brecksville

Have you gotten a flu shot this year? Take our poll.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health shared a new blog post on Patch today, encouraging readers to get a flu shot.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend it, too—they encourage everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot. The season can begin as early as October, but typically peaks in January or February, according to the centers’ website. According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health’s latest weekly summary, flu activity is still low in the county and the state at this time.  If you’d like to get a flu shot, the board offers them at its clinics in Parma, Lyndhurst, Lakewood and Westlake. Visit the board’s website for information on making an appointment. In Brecksville, both Walgreens and CVS are offering flu shots…

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Brecksville to Offer Flu Shots on Oct. 5

The shots are available by appointment for senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses.

Flu season is almost here again, and the communities of Brecksville and Broadview Heights are trying to prepare their senior citizens.  Flu shots will be available from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Brecksville Human Services Center, according to a press release from the city. Appointments are necessary, and residents of both cities can register by calling the center, beginning Sept. 7.  The shots will be administered by CVS. They will be available for anyone older than 60 or with a diagnosed chronic illness.  People can get the flu at any time, but it's most common between October and May, according to a fact sheet on the 2011-2012 flu season from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sheet recommends getting …

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