Residents encouraged to contact healthcare provider or pharmacy to get a flu shot, as illness rates continue to rise.
- GOVERNMENT
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Monday, January 14
The following is an update provided by the Lynnfield Board of Health: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) announced on January 10, 2013 that it is working with all local boards of health and is assisting in ensuring vaccines are available, though their current supply has already been distributed. The Lynnfield Board of Health has held a number of flu clinics opened to the public at Town Hall and the Senior Center as well as provided flu shots to Police/Fire and School Dept personnel. The MA DPH further announced this is the strongest (worst) flu season nationally and in Massachusetts in several years. The latest statewide data shows that rates of flu-like illness are on the rise in Massachusetts, earlier in the flu …
Hand washing is one of the ways to keep kids healthy.
The following information was provided by the Red Cross: Health officials are reporting widespread influenza outbreaks in 47 of 50 states, up from just a week ago. One age group hit particularly hard is children, and the American Red Cross has some steps parents can teach their kids to help them avoid getting sick. WASHING HANDS Kids have a way of picking up colds and other illnesses. Parents should teach children proper hand washing techniques and how to correctly cover coughs or sneezes. Wash hands withsoap and warm water. When using soap and water: If using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer: SAFETY STEPS The most important thing parents can do is get children six months of age or oldera flu vaccine as recommended by the Centers for …
Outbreaks are earlier than normal in the area.
The Red Cross reports that there's still time for folks to get flu shots and be covered from what is considered to be a more active flu season. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that flu outbreaks are high for this time of the season, with "widespread activity" in Massachusetts. How do you prevent the flu? According to the CDC, in addition to getting the vaccine, you can: How do you know if you have the virus? Symptoms include: high fever, severe body aches, headache, being extremely tired, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting and/or diarrhea (which is more common in children). When should you call the doctor? According to the Red Cross, if you think you have the flu, your doctor should be consulted immediately …
