Flu still widespread, but cases might be leveling out
Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) -- Health Department official Lon Kightlinger says flu cases might be leveling out in South Dakota.
"I can't say we're decreasing, but it seems like we're plateauing," Kightlinger, the state epidemiologist, said Wednesday.
Through Feb. 23, South Dakota had 365 confirmed influenza cases during this flu season.
Kightlinger says the flu still is widespread in the state.
He says it's important to respect health care facilities' wishes when they impose restrictions during the flu season -- whether it's wearing masks, cleaning hands or not allowing visitors at all.
Kightlinger says at least a couple other respiratory viruses that produce flu-like symptoms are circulating as well.
Like every flu season, this one has its own unique characteristics, he said.
"This virus is always changing. It's always evolving. It's always drifting. It's always mutating," Kightlinger said. "What's unusual about this season is we have a good proportion of (influenza A viruses) and (an influenza B virus) circulating at the same time. Usually, we'll see A's come through, and then we'll see B's later in the season. Here, we've got three flu viruses hitting us at the same time. I think that makes it seem rather tough."
In Yankton, pediatrician Dawn Larson said flu case numbers seem slightly higher this year.
She said she has seen an even split between influenza A and B in her young patients.
"Children do not seem to be affected much more frequently than in years past, and the infection does not seem to be any more severe than in past years," she said.
Family practice doctor John Brady said the flu is not the only virus making the rounds.
"Of the people I see that look like they have influenza, only about half of them have it," Brady said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says every state but Florida reports widespread flu.
"I can't say we're decreasing, but it seems like we're plateauing," Kightlinger, the state epidemiologist, said Wednesday.
Through Feb. 23, South Dakota had 365 confirmed influenza cases during this flu season.
Kightlinger says the flu still is widespread in the state.
He says it's important to respect health care facilities' wishes when they impose restrictions during the flu season -- whether it's wearing masks, cleaning hands or not allowing visitors at all.
Kightlinger says at least a couple other respiratory viruses that produce flu-like symptoms are circulating as well.
Like every flu season, this one has its own unique characteristics, he said.
"This virus is always changing. It's always evolving. It's always drifting. It's always mutating," Kightlinger said. "What's unusual about this season is we have a good proportion of (influenza A viruses) and (an influenza B virus) circulating at the same time. Usually, we'll see A's come through, and then we'll see B's later in the season. Here, we've got three flu viruses hitting us at the same time. I think that makes it seem rather tough."
In Yankton, pediatrician Dawn Larson said flu case numbers seem slightly higher this year.
She said she has seen an even split between influenza A and B in her young patients.
"Children do not seem to be affected much more frequently than in years past, and the infection does not seem to be any more severe than in past years," she said.
Family practice doctor John Brady said the flu is not the only virus making the rounds.
"Of the people I see that look like they have influenza, only about half of them have it," Brady said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says every state but Florida reports widespread flu.
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