Serous flu complications in younger adults, even deaths, are being reported to the state Department of Health.

Officials said today ina news release they’ve received several reports from clinical partners throughout the state of serious complications or deaths from flu in younger adults. “The only type of flu identified in Mississippi so far this year is the 2009 influenza A H1N1 strain, which has in past years primarily affected those under 65 years of age,” state epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs said.

“This year, we’ve received reports of serious complications and some deaths associated with influenza infection in those under 65. During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, 80 percent of the deaths were in people younger than 65, unlike a typical flu season in which the majority of deaths occur in those 65 and older.”

The good news is that this year’s flu vaccination includes coverage for this particular strain, Dobbs said in the release.

“It’s not too late. We are still in the early stages of our traditional flu season. It’s vital that all Mississippians – not just the very young and the very old – get vaccinated against flu,” he said.

While individual flu cases and flu-related deaths in adults are not reported to the department, the agency monitors flu activity through the Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Sentinel Surveillance System, made up of healthcare providers in Mississippi such as family practice clinics, student health centers, pediatricians, primary care physicians, and hospital emergency departments who report the percentage of patients with flu-like symptoms to a statewide database.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are recommended for anyone age six months and older, and are available at all county health departments. Those particularly at risk for influenza complications include young children, adults 50 and older, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses. Vaccination of healthcare personnel and caregivers of vulnerable individuals is especially important.

Symptoms of seasonal flu include fever, cough, and often, extreme fatigue. Sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and a runny or stuffy nose are also often present. More severe symptoms and death can also occur.

While vaccination is the best protection, basic infection control measures can also reduce the spread of flu. These measures include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick, and washing your hands frequently.

To locate a county health department clinic or for more information on flu and pneumonia, go to http://www.healthyms.com/ - www.HealthyMS.com. Follow the Department of Health by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

I should also add that a good friend contacted me from Houston just a few minutes ago stating that someone 30 miles from him has been "confined" with swine flu.  Seems a little drastic. This thing is getting crazier by the hour. 

Someone from my work had it last year and they said it was a mild flu

Thanks John. I am getting better - in a few days I'll be all but recovered hopefully. Worst sore throat I ever experienced in the first day or two, and I didn't start to spike a fever until I was three days in. Very long and drawn out, with every flu symptom waiting in line for their turn.
I really wouldn't recommend it

Glad you had a good outcome. I was lucky enough to miss it the first time around, and what I have right now is nothing compared to how sick some people did get back in 2009. Catching it after the vaccine kind of took me by surprise though, but I did the same with the pneumovax shot - got the vaccine a few years ago for the first time and caught pneumonia six months later

The below article is one of the first referencing how CDC is looking at the possibility of subtle changes in the virus.  But also remember, the WHO recently recalculated H1N1 as more lethal than earlier thought in 2009.  Perhaps Texas is simply getting the s--t kicked out of it by this flu, and the rest of us soon to follow.  Here in New York we just went to "widespread"  illness.  John L.

khou.com

Posted on December 20, 2013 at 4:56 PM

Updated today at 6:07 PM

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Fewer-cases-of-H1N1-flu-but-its-still-packing-a-punch-236817861.html

Dennis and his children got better, but Sandy didn’t and nearly a month later is in critical condition, hanging on to life, at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

She hadn’t gotten a flu shot yet.

Dennis had gotten one through his work and his two children got theirs after their mom got sick.

"The hardest part was actually having my two adult kids come in and see mom and then leave the room crying," Dennis said during a news conference at Legacy Friday afternoon. "It just tore me up."

The family asked that their last names not be used.

Doctors at the hospital said they are doing everything they can to help Sandy get well. Doctors and Dennis said there are encouraging signs she will pull through but she remains on life support.

Officials at Legacy Health say they’ve treated a handful of patients for the flu this year, specifically the H1N1 strain.

"We're very much in middle of flu season," said Dr. Brian Young, a critical care physician. "It's clearly hit here in Portland. … If you ask me, I think we're on the upswing of our curve (in the number of flu cases)."

In 2009 there was a pandemic of H1N1. This year’s strain is affecting fewer people, but health officials say some cases have been serious and life threatening.

"This year, similar to 2009, we’re seeing patients that also have very, very serious pneumonias, respiratory failure," Young said.

Health officials say the flu season lasts for months but there is still time to get your flu shot to help prevent the illness.

"The most important thing – the message I want to get out there is, get your flu shot," Young said. "That’s the best thing that you can do to help yourself to prevent getting the flu. It’s also protective for those around you."

He added that good and frequent hand-washing, covering mouths when coughing and staying home when sick will help keep people from getting the flu.

He said the vaccine is a good match to the strains circulating this year.

Don Strick, with Clark County Public Health, said there have been six confirmed cases of flu in the last two weeks in the county. Three of them are confirmed to be H1N1, but the other three may also be H1N1 because some labs don’t differentiate subtypes.

"H1N1 seems to be the most widely circulating flu virus this year."

     I fear the situation is only going to worsen for the immediate future.  Best of luck avoiding illness!  John L.

Where in Colorado are you? I'm in south Denver area.

We all had a terrible flu 12 weeks ago and it's only in the last 10 days or so that we've felt normal again. It took 3 weeks for the flu symptoms to go, another couple of weeks for the cough to go and then we were just left feeling incredibly tired. 

Thanks for the info Flu mom. Either way I don't like to throw up and we could have caught it from him. I cleaned the toilet today just in case we end up praying to the toilet God.

I read that you aren't likely to be contagious after about 3 or 4 days.

When I went on the cruise to China, Japan, and S. Korea back in April our ship was hit really hard with norovirus. The hazmat crew had to clean my cabin if you can imagine. You couldn't touch a railing anywhere as they were all soaking wet. You couldn't walk down any hallway without someone squirting hand sanitizer in our hands. Luckily this happened in the 2nd week and I got a mild case which didn't last long. We were self quarantined in our cabins for 1 day. If you had a shore excursion and they knew you were sick, you were red flagged at the ships exit and they wouldn't let you leave. This happened to me because the doctor couldn't clear people in time. I was able to leave, but they had to call the doctor's office to make sure my quarantine period was over. Every single person at our dinner table got sick 1 at a time. Each night we were missing somebody else.