Saturday, January 19, 2013
For now, signs of peace and wine distribution will follow regular procedures in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Elsewhere around the country, some church leaders are mandating change to prevent flu from spreading.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Cindi Lash
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Saturday, January 19
As the ongoing flu epidemic continues around the United States, some church leaders around the country are changing procedures and issuing recommendations for avoiding the contagious ailment while worshipping. At masses this weekend in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, however, signs of peace and wine distribution from communal chalices during Communion will follow regular procedures, a diocesan spokesman said Friday. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week said it does not see the need for widespread changes to liturgy to prevent the spread of the flu nationally. It also noted that the decision lies with individual diocesan bishops to recommend or mandate such changes in their communities. For now in Western Pennsylvania, no …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
This flu season is considered one of the worst in recent years. Heritage Valley Health System is continuing to monitor its situation daily to stay ahead of the virus.
Heritage Valley Health System is dealing with a higher-than-usual volume of flu cases this winter, considered to be the worst flu season in recent years. Starting just before Christmas, Tom Pangburn, director of emergency services at Heritage Valley Health System, said both the Sewickley and Beaver hospitals in the health system began seeing an uptick in influenza-type flu cases. “It’s continued to be consistently high with peaks and valleys since that time,” Pangburn said. While numbers fluctuate with more visits on Sundays and Mondays, Pangburn said the emergency room department is seeing about 10 to 15 percent more visits per day than a year ago, when there wasn't a huge influenza outbreak. Heritage Valley’s multi-disciplinary …
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Deb Brown, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic, also writes that preventing illness can be as simple as washing your hands.
- OPINION
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Sunday, January 13
To the Editor: Flu season is harsher this year than previous years. The American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic urges everyone to take healthy steps to weather the flu season. Vaccination is safe and effective and the best way to help prevent influenza. Influenza vaccine options are available for children, adults and seniors. Parents of young children should know that children 6 months through 8 years of age receiving a flu shot for the first time need two doses of vaccine, approximately one month apart, for optimal protection. Along with getting vaccinated, warding off influenza is as simple as washing your hands. Germ control during flu season is crucial to keeping yourself healthy. During flu season make sure that you: Visit www…
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Pennsylvania is reporting high influenza activity, according to the state health department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Allegheny County certainly isn't immune from the widespead outbreak of influenza reported by the Pennsylvania Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Allegheny County Health Department reports four local deaths in the last few weeks have been attributed to the influenza Type A virus. All four deaths have been patients 65 years or older, with the oldest victim 98 years old, according to Dr. Jim Lando, acting director of the department's Office of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. "Influenza does take people each year," he said. "That's why we do recommend that people get vaccinated." Lando said that between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012—the most up-to-date reporting period this flu season—there had been 215 confirmed …
Friday, February 18, 2011
Local health care providers are seeing an increase in sick cases this season.
Everyone seems to have some sickness or another right now, especially in households where small children are being bombarded with illness -- sometimes more than one at at time. One preschool in Moon Township, which asked not to be named, reported a case of "Fifths disease," a viral infection that mostly affects children. Mononucleosis, " an infection caused by a virus, seems to be making the rounds as well. A recent trip to the MedExpress in Moon revealed more than 10 positive strep throat cultures, three cases of pink eye, and a handful of stomach issues and ear infections being treated. That was all in one day -- and mostly in children. "In my 12 years as a doctor I have never seen a winter this bad," said Dr. Timothy Hedlund, a family …
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Heritage Valley Health System
720 Blackburn Rd, Sewickley, PA
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