Some facts relating to viral lung diseases

Viral diseases are the most commonly known complications that affect the human lungs. Before its entry into the lung, viruses are known to cause infections in the upper respiratory part. Some of the common infections caused by the virus include Pneumonia, Bronchiolitis, and Interstitial Lung Disease. The later emerged viral infections have more potency to cause larger outbreaks of severe respiratory diseases. The infections usually occur during the winter and the viral often spreads via transmission process due to sneezing and coughing.

Bronchiolitis is a kind of inflammation attacking the membrane linings in the bronchioles. Various viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, or flu virus are involved for carrying out this kind of inflammation. This type of disorder is generally seen in young children and infants. Congesting nose is the starting associated symptoms that can further proceed to affect the lungs and cause symptoms of bronchiolitis. The symptoms linked to this disorder is felt in the form of croaky cough, breathing rapidly, wheezing, low levels of oxygen in the blood stream, retractions, and hypoaxia. The complication of illness with this disorder will last for one to two days, and in severe cases the extending period could be up to 14 days.

Pneumonia is yet another serious ailment included in the same category of viral infection and is triggered by infectious virus. This is linked to the abnormal inflammation disorder of the lung. However, infections in the lung can creep up due to innumerous reasons including fungi or parasites, bacterial infections, chemical or physical injury to the lungs and many more. However, viral infection has a great impact on the lungs and comes on the top list. Viral pneumonia is milder when compared to the bacterial infection. The symptoms attached with it include cough accompanying phlegm, chills and fevers. It also shows the symptoms through breathing shortness, rapid breathing, pleurisy, retractions, fatigue and muscle aches.

Viral Pneumonia along with the bacteria will take the problem further making it even more severe. This ultimately proceeds further to bring about the accumulation of fluids that could be hazardous. The accumulated fluid should be drained out through the means of surgery. We all know that pneumonia is a leading cause of death in children under the age of five. The blood in the sputum or discoloration is seen with the sufferers of pneumonia. Chest pain is another syndrome observed in patients with the attack of pneumonia. The other associated signals with it include headache, muscle pain, worsening cough, and many more.

Interstitial lung disease is known to attack interstitium area of the lungs. It is associated with the burning sensations taking place in the supportive tissues amidst of air sacs. The kind of complication leads to scarring process of the tissues thereby greatly affecting the supply of oxygen into the blood.

This is a guest post by irvine lampson (consultant physician and health expert) for genericpillmart.com.

It's not too late to get your flu shot, and getting it could not only help yourself and your family but your neighbors

It's not too late to get your flu shot, even though the flu has hit earlier and more broadly than usual, experts say.

It generally takes about two weeks for a flu vaccine to be most effective, said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Getting the shot in mid-January might seem too late, but it's "better late than never," he said during a teleconference Friday.

The CDC says the flu has been widespread in Kentucky for more than five weeks, far more than last year. "Most of the country is seeing a lot of flu, and this may continue for several weeks," Frieden said. "We don't know if we are over the peak."

Getting a flu shot can protect your neighbors, too. The protection afforded by the current vaccine is an important tool in protecting the health of the general public. The flu can be serious, especially in senior citizens, those with other chronic health problems and children. This season's outbreak has led to the deaths of 20 children as of Friday.

The CDC has found that the current flu vaccine is 62 percent effective, meaning if you get vaccinated, "You are 62 percent less likely to get the flu," writes Mary Meehan of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

It is also important that people with flu symptoms seek treatment. Anti-virals such as Tamiflu can be effective in reducing the most serious symptoms, Frieden said. "If you get flu-like symptoms, it can really help you avoid serious illness, hospitalization or even death," he said.

Meehan's story includes advice for dealing with children and tips about how to avoid getting the flu. To read it, click here.

UPDATE: In response to the flu, the University of Kentucky today limited visitation at its hospitals: None will be under 18 or have any flu-like symptoms, and only two will be allowed in a patient’s room at a time. Visitors may be issued masks or other protective clothing, and other restrictions may be imposed in special care units such as women’s and children’s units, critical care and oncology units. "Compassionate visitation exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis," a UK release said.

Kentucky's week-long brand of flu now called 'widespread'

What started out early is now full-blown. The Kentucky Department for Public Health informed federal health authorities this week that data it has received from local health departments, hospitals, clinics and private doctors indicates that flu is now "widespread" in the state.

Darla Carter of The Courier-Journal reports that Louisville officials have confirmed nine cases and 127 positive rapid tests since the first week of November. For the status to be "widespread," the state explained it had received numerous reports from throughout the commonwealth. What is being reported is not a 24-hour bug, but a 7-10 day virus.  Health officials are vigorously encouraging flu vaccinations. (Read more)

CDC director: Flu season is three weeks early, could be a bad one

Prepare for a bad flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control, this flu season seems to be ahead of schedule if you use the last decade as any judge of when the season should begin, which is usually around Christmas. Suspected cases have already showed up in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, with two infant deaths already having been reported. (Getty Images)

Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director, sees good news in that fact that the nation seems well prepared this year. He told the Associated Press that more than a third of Americans have been vaccinated and that the vaccine is well matched to the strains of flu seen so far. (Read more)

Back at school and already got the sniffles or other ailment? Here's a pediatrician's advice to battle back-to-school bugs

With school back in session, it probably won't be long before children are coming home with sniffles and sore throats. The average child gets six or more infections each year, reports Dr. Jacqueline Kaari, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, who also offers advice.

"Every parent has experienced it — the hectic morning maneuvering of getting the household fed, dressed and out the door is suddenly interrupted by an inconsolable child who has a sore throat, upset stomach, sniffles or something worse," she said. "When that happens, parents need to be able to quickly assess their child and determine if he or she is well enough to go to school or needs to stay home, or if it's time to call the pediatrician. Sometimes, parents will guess wrong, but if there's one rule of thumb, it should be to always err on the side of caution."

Kaari recommends the following guidelines for what do when it comes to:

Colds: Use child-strength, over-the-counter medicines and a cool mist humidifier to treat symptoms. Because they are caused by viruses, do not treat colds with antibiotics. Children can go to school if the symptoms won't impede them from participating in school activities.

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye): Go to the doctor for treatment, which is generally antibiotic eye drops. Children can usually go to school 24 to 48 hours after treatment starts.

Fever: Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for low-grade fevers. Have the child drink lots of fluids and avoid fatty or fried foods, since fevers decrease stomach activity and make digestion more difficult. Keep children at home if the fever is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Call the doctor if a high fever lasts more than 24 hours or does not respond to medicine.

Flu: Have the child vaccinated. If he or she has not been vaccinated, keep the child home for several days and make sure he or she gets lots of rest and drinks lots of fluids.

Head lice: Kill with over-the-counter or prescription lotions and shampoos. Keep the child at home until all lice have been killed.

Ringworm: Look for small patches of skin that are scaly and red. They can also blister and ooze. Apply anti-fungal ointments or powders. Call the doctor if the infection is severe or does not go away.

Sore throat: If parents suspect strep throat, they should call the doctor. If drinking water relieves symptoms somewhat, the child likely has a viral infection that should go away in a few days.

Stomach ache: Children who have been vomiting should stay home from school. An hour after the child vomits, parents should start introducing small drinks of water. Clear liquids and bland food should be introduced throughout the day. If vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if the child vomits blood or green or yellow bile, call the doctor.

Whooping cough (pertussis): Have the child vaccinated. If parents suspect whooping cough, characterized by a "whooping" sound when the child tries to breathe, call the doctor. (Read more)

First cases of flu reported in Kentucky; not swine-related

By Tara Kaprowy
Kentucky Health News

Kentucky has its first confirmed cases of flu for the year, and officials are urging residents to get their vaccinations. (WYMT-TV photo)

The Department for Public Health reports six confirmed cases in Boyd County of the H3N2 strain, which is included in this year's flu vaccine. No cases of flu that contain genetic material from swine flu have been reported in Kentucky this year.

Kristy Bolen, senior epidemiologist at the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department, said both children and adults have been affected. "We do know that when kids go back to school, we tend to see more influenza," she said.

The reports of swine flu in Ohio and Indiana have prompted physicians to test for flu more than they normally would this time of year, Bolen told Kentucky Health News. "Being right on the border with Ohio, our local providers and local community members are more aware," she said. "It doesn't necessarily mean it will be a bad flu season."

The best way to protect against getting the flu is to get a vaccine, which should be done annually. The vaccine is recommended for anyone over 6 months of of age and is especially recommended for:
• Children age 6 months to 19 years
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years old or older
• People with any chronic health problems
• People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
• Health care workers
• Caregivers of people who have high risk for complications from the flu
• Out-of-home caregivers of people who live with children less than 6 months old.

"Getting the flu can be debilitating and sometimes life-threatening, so it's extremely important to take simple preventive steps to avoid i," said Dr. Steve Davis, acting commissioner for the DPH. "You should also follow the advice your mother gave you to prevent flu and other illnesses that tend to circulate at this time of year — wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and stay home when you're sick." (Read more)

For more information about the flu, click here.

Kentucky Health News is a service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, based in the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications, with support from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

State Fair taking precautions to prevent spread of swine flu

With cases of swine flu popping up in adjoining states to the north, officials are taking precautions to prevent the disease from spreading at the Kentucky State Fair's Swine Pavilion. The fair starts Thursday. (Photo by Kristin Sherrard, Carrollton News-Democrat: Turner Slaton of Madisonville wins the reserve light crossbred champion ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair in 2009.)

University of Louisville epidemiologist Forrest Arnold has advice for fairgoers:

• “Stay out of the face of a sick pig.” The flu is transmitted most often via the eyes, nose or mouth, so keeping your face out of a pig’s face is advised.
• “Wash your hands frequently.” Always a good recommendation to prevent illness, washing your hands is especially important after you have been around pigs.
• “Be sure your children limit exposure to pigs’ faces and wash their hands immediately after viewing them.” Children especially enjoy the livestock shows at the state fair, so it is important that they follow precautions as well.
• “Be aware if you are at a greater risk.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn people at high risk of contracting any flu, such as those 65 or older, pregnant or with chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, to avoid contact with pigs entirely.
• “Continue to enjoy eating pork and pork products.” Swine flu is not transmitted by eating pork that has been cooked to a temperature of at least 170 degrees.

The state veterinarian's staff will be inspecting all swine — between 650 and 675 pigs — and looking for signs of flu, which includes coughing, sneezing and labored breathing. Animals showing symptoms will be evaluated and tested for the disease. Exhibitors coming from out of state must show a certificate of veterinary inspection with 72 hours of arrival, The Courier-Journal reports.

"We are certainly prepared for the slightest sign of any outbreak, and of course, the public will be notified immediately should anything occur," said Harold Workman, president of the Kentucky State Fair Board.

This year has seen 158 reported cases of swine flu, 130 of which were in 19 counties in Indiana. There have been 30 cases in Ohio and one each in Indiana and Hawaii. The disease is spread by pigs coughing or sneezing in the proximity of humans. Symptoms in humans, which can last from three to eight days, include coughing, fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, nausea and diarrhea. (Read more)

No way to know how serious flu season will be this year; get your vaccine, which will be available soon, officials say

There is no way of predicting how far-reaching the flu will be this season, but this year's vaccine should be available soon, officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health said today.

"As soon as you get the immunizations you can start administering them," Sherri Coles, Kentucky Vaccine Program assistant coordinator, told a physician during today's webinar on the subject.

Last flu season was very mild, particularly compared to the one before it, when the H1N1 flu virus was first found here. About 22,400 people nationwide were confirmed to have the flu last season. There were 26 lab-confirmed pediatric deaths caused by flu, but none were in Kentucky. Flu activity was only widespread for five weeks in Kentucky last season, in March and April.

Flu shots are recommended for everyone from 6 months of age and older. Children 6 months to 8 years of age getting the vaccine for the first time should get two doses administered at least one month apart.

The flu can be treated with antiviral drugs, Coles said, which can "lesson the symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days." The drugs should be taken within two days of getting sick, though starting them later can still be helpful for people who have a pre-existing health condition or are very sick from the flu. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two kinds of antiviral drugs available. Relenza can only be taken by people who do not have breathing problems like asthma or COPD.

Swine flu killed nearly 300,000 worldwide, study finds

The swine flu of 2009, often referred to as H1NI, killed an estimated 284,500 people, making it 15 times more deadly than it was thought at the time of the pandemic, a new study has found. The report, published Tuesday in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, said the numbers might be eventually be  as high as 579,000 people. The original count, tabulated by the World Health Organization, was a mere 18,500.

Those nearly 300,000 deaths were confirmed by lab testing, which the WHO warned vastly underestimated the situation "because the deaths of people without access to the health system go uncounted, and because the virus is not always detectable after a victim dies," reports Sharon Begley for Reuters. In Kentucky, the Department for Public Health reported there were 41 confirmed H1N1-related deaths, said spokeswoman Beth Fisher.

More than 50 percent of swine flu deaths were in Africa and southeast Asia, though they only account for 38 percent of the world's population. Because vital statistics data are either non-existent or incomplete in poorer countries, researchers had to rely on estimates and assumptions but did start with hard data, including the number of health workers who went door-to-door to ask about flu-like symptoms in rural areas and obtained nasal and throat swab samples. They used these numbers to get an estimate on the proportion of a country's population infected with H1N1. Results show the flu killed two to three times more people in Africa than elsewhere. It infected children most, adults moderately and the elderly hardly at all. (Read more)

High-dose flu shot, which many doctors recommend for those over 65 due to risk of death, is becoming more available

It's time for flu shots, but the annual reminder has a new angle: Fluzone HighDose, a special vaccine designed for people 65 and older, who make up 90 percent of the 23,000 people who die of the flu and its complications.

"The high-dose vaccine for seniors, introduced last year by drug-maker Sanofi Pasteur, is becoming more widely available in the area, and health workers say it’s in high demand," Laura Ungar reports for The Courier-Journal of Louisville.The Jefferson County Health Department "charges $40 for the high-dose shot and $25 for the regular vaccine that is injected." (C-J photo by Bill Luster: Joe Blincoe of Louisville gets one of the new, high-dose shots)

The high-dose vaccine contains four times as much antibody-creating antigen as a regular shot, and it is recommended by Dr. Nancy Stiles, a geriatrician and associate professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "says problems such as pain and swelling at the injection site and headache or muscle aches were reported more frequently after people got the high-dose vaccine," Ungar writes. "At this point, the CDC is not recommending one type over the other," pending a study. "Whichever type of flu shot seniors get, local doctors are also urging them to make sure they have had a pneumonia shot," which is good for at least five years. (Read more)

Now is the time to get flu vaccine, state health officials warn

State public health officials are encouraging Kentuckians to be vaccinated for flu now to reduce the spread of the illness. Steve Davis, M.D., acting commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said in a news release, “Getting the flu vaccine each year is the best way to protect against the flu’s spread and severity.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu vaccine for anyone older than 6 months. People who should especially receive the flu vaccine, because they may be at higher risk for complications or negative consequences, include:
• Children age 6 months to 19 years;
• Pregnant women;
• People 50 years old or older;
• People of any age with chronic health problems;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
• Health care workers;
• Caregivers of or people who live with a person at high risk for complications from the flu; and
• Out-of-home caregivers of or people who live with children less than 6 months old.

Healthy, non-pregnant people age 2-49 years can get either the flu shot or the nasal vaccine spray. Children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against flu for the first time should receive a second dose four or more weeks after their first vaccination.

Flu is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. About 23,000 Americans die from seasonal flu and its complications in an average year, but actual numbers vary from year to year.

In addition to the flu vaccine, officials encourage all adults 65 or older and others in high-risk groups to ask their health care provider about the pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccine can help prevent a type of pneumonia, one of the flu’s most serious and potentially deadly complications.

For more information on influenza or the availability of flu vaccine, please contact your local health department or visit www.healthalerts.ky.gov.