Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The following was submitted by the North Andover Senior Center.
If you have been diagnosed with the flu, you should stay home and follow your health care provider’s recommendations. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription medications to ease flu symptoms and help you feel better faster. You can treat flu symptoms with and without medication. Over-the-counter medications may relieve some flu symptoms but will not make you less contagious. Your health care provider may prescribe antiviral medications to make your illness milder and prevent serious complications. Your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics if your flu has progressed to a bacterial infection. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines have …
It's more difficult to get your vaccine now.
With the widespread flu outbreak and resulting rush for flu shots, several local pharmacies that had flu vaccines are now out of them. Walgreens Pharmacy has the higher dose only for people age 65 and up. CVS, Rite Aid and Stop & Shop are out of the vaccine completely. Rite Aid expects to have a new shipment later this week. The Centers for Disease Control has reported that 47 states in the nation now have widespread flu outbreaks, including Massachusetts. Flu cases in children have particularly seen a spike nationwide, according to the American Red Cross, which offers these tips for protecting kids from the flu. Here is a site that maps out flu shot locations. But as many are running out each day, be sure to call ahead to make sure the …
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Children are especially vulnerable.
The Centers for Disease Control has reported that 47 states in the nation now have widespread flu outbreaks, including Massachusetts. This week, Boston Mayor Menino declared a health emercency for Boston after 700 cases were reported in that city. North Andover still doesn't have many reported cases of the flu, but numbers don't include those who have not seen a doctor and the town is bracing for a possible spike in flu cases. Flu cases in children have particularly seen a spike nationwide, according to the American Red Cross, which offers the following tips for protecting kinds from the flu: Parents should teach children proper hand washing techniques and how to correctly cover coughs or sneezes. Wash hands with soap and warm water. When …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The Archdiocese of Boston is taking steps to stop the spread of the flu.
Parishioners at St. Michael Parish and other local Catholic churches may notice something different on Sunday. The Archdiocese of Boston announced this week that it is allowing priests to suspend the distribution of wine during Communion as a precaution because of the recent flu outbreak, reported The Boston Globe. Churches were also notified that parishioners could exchange a sign of peace by “bowing to nearby prisoners instead of shaking hands,” reported The Globe. Earlier this week, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared a state of health emergency because of the flu outbreak and some nearby communities have also ran out of flu vaccine. Here’s information about whether to get your flu shot locally and more information about the vaccine.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
North Andover Health Department is urging people to get the flu vaccine and stay home when sick.
On Wednesday, Boston Mayor Tom Menino declared a health emergency in that city due to the rise in reported flu cases there. So far this season, there have been more than 700 cases of the flu reported in Boston, which is 10 times the average number seen last year, reports Sara Jacobi of Boston Patch. Boston's situation is not unique. The Centers for Disease Control says that flu outbreaks are high for this time of the season, and there is "widespread activity" of flu cases in Massachusetts. North Andover has not seen such a high volume of flu cases, but local officials are keeping an eye on the town's situation and preparing. "So far we've only had four reported cases in town, so we can't acknowledge that it's seen a spike," North Andover …
Elisa Hubbard
7:22 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Doctors Express North Andover still has Flu Vaccines on hand. Located at 129 Turnpike St (same plaza as Burton's Grill) in North Andover. No appointments needed! 978-470-0800. www.DoctorsExpressnorthandover.com more ›