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
-
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, December 14, 2012
After a slow start, the number of flu cases in the Pittsburgh area has started to rise.
The flu may have passed you by this holiday season, but if you haven't had a flu shot yet, you are at risk. After a slow start, the number of flu cases in the Pittsburgh area has started to rise and is now approaching moderate to high levels. According to the Allegheny County Health Department, as of Dec. 4, there were 30 confirmed cases of the flu in Allegheny County, with the actual number predicted to be three to four times higher, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported. Last flu season, the number of cases in Pennsylvania reached its highest level in the last week of December and first week of January. This year, Pennsylvania has already hit last year's peak. Flu shots are available in the Sewickley area at many locations, including: …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital, Allegheny County Health Department and local pharmacies in the Sewickley area offer immunization clinics.
With more flu cases popping up, it's time to get serious about your flu shot if you haven't gotten it yet. Who needs to get a flu shot? Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital, offered this list. Click here for more information on flu shots from the Centers for Disease Control. To receive a flu shot, schedule an appointment with a Heritage Valley primary care physician or visit a Heritage Valley ConvenientCare location, which require no appointment and has extended hours of operation. ConvenientCare locations are an alternative to hospital emergency departments for treatment of minor illnesses and injuries. Rite Aid is also offering flu shots for $24.99 through Dec. 15. Just walk in, no appointment needed. Pharmacy hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. …
40.5435
-80.17878
Heritage Valley Health System
720 Blackburn Rd, Sewickley, PA
/articles/flu-season-heating-up-do-you-have-your-flu-shot-ce4fc62c
1262208
/locations/8315339
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 …
40.5435
-80.17878
Heritage Valley Health System
720 Blackburn Rd, Sewickley, PA
/articles/something-is-in-the-air-and-its-not-spring
1262208
/locations/3437260
