The following is a news release from County of Riverside Department of Public Health:
A man and child who recently died tested positive for influenza, though Riverside County health officials are saying the cause of death has not been determined.
The 22-year-old man from Hemet tested positive for Influenza A and died earlier this month after being briefly hospitalized, according to Dr. Cameron Kaiser, interim public health officer for Riverside County. The 4-year-old girl from Perris tested positive for Influenza B and died earlier this month after being taken to a local emergency room, Kaiser said.
Officials do not know how long it will take to determine whether the influenza contributed to the deaths in any way. Riverside County has seen some recent increases in instances of influenza-like illness in the region but the overall flu activity is within the normal range.
Officials emphasize there are ways to reduce the chances of catching the flu. Obtaining an influenza vaccination is important and the most effective protection against flu viruses, Kaiser said. Flu vaccine is available through the county Family Care Centers, pharmacies and physician offices. There is time to get vaccinated in order to be protected against flu viruses.
Effective hand washing and proper covering of coughs and sneezing also help to prevent the spread of flu. Individuals, who are ill with cough and fever, are encouraged not to go work or school to limit exposure of co-workers and classmates.
Most individuals recover from the flu by getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids. A health care provider should be contacted for severe illness. It is important to inform the health care facility of symptoms so appropriate precautions can be taken to avoid exposure of other individuals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that everyone 6 months old and older receive a flu vaccination each year.
I also wonder if there was any prior health issues with the young man and then the 2 year old girl. THAT information will be what causes a panic or not. If they were perfectly healthy at those ages when immune s ystems are working fabulous, we are in serious trouble, all of us who have not gotten out shots.
Condolences to the families of those that lost their lives, I lost by best friend two years ago to the swine flu but only because years prior she had cancer and the chemo made her vulnerable, the flu attacked her lungs the weakest part of her body from the cancer treatment. Stay healthy everyone, eat right, exercise and wash your hands always.
With my 4 yr old grandson, and if schools took a bit more care it would make a huge difference. These children are so sick that I see, with everything running down their little faces into their mouths, rubbed up to their eyes, feverish faces, and no one seems to notice. The schools say they can keep the children as long as their fever does not go over 100 degrees, then the parent has to pick them up. WHAT???? That is why all the children constantly stay sick, not one gets well. Thank God we have taught grandson to wash hands and even his face a few times a day because the teachers sure are not having the children do it. They need wipes in a fanny pack on their waist! His little hands are filthy when we pick him up sometimes. When my girls were young they had an awesome daycare and the ladies there was just as anal as I was about the building being spotless, cleaned doorknobs several times a day, toilets, beds, counters, the kids were hit with wipes constantly, LOL. Good ole spit baths. I take chemo/like meds for rheumatoid arthritis so I do not have any immune system. One Voice, but like you say, and I have done for years, lysol and we can take care of ourselves as best we can, keep clean and hope for the best.
Washing you hands normally & NOT over using anti-bacterial products except when no soap or water is available in dire situations....(which by the way using too often leads to SUPER VIRUS/SUPER BACTERIA EXPOSURE causing your body not not produce normal antibodies to fight off normal illnesses) Be cognoscent & aware but by all means DO NOT BE HYPER AWARE! Oh and by the way... It is intelligent to keeps things generally clean but no matter we always will unwillingly and unknowingly pass colds & flu around for the simple fact that we don't know we are sick & contagious until days after we have exposed everyone around us. Use logic people! No need to bathe in chemicals or panic because a child has a runny nose. Schools know these things! My children's schools ALL HAVE WIPE DOWN TIME DAILY as well as teaching kids proper sanitary habits. Actually Brenda, it's up to the PARENTS & GUARDIANS TO TEACH CHILDREN HEALTHY HABITS. Don't panic, we see it every year as well as increased allergies. It's a cycle. Live.
Oh believe me do I know that, and I wish alot more parents did teach exactly THAT. Thank you for reminding us Holly. I keep packs of "wipies" around "hand soaps in bathrooms" and then sanitizers for purse and cars, and its just habit with my grandchild, just turning 4, to grab a wipie when he comes through the door, Gotta get that face so we can do the kissing and hugging!! LOL.
I never used to get them then it was always recommended when I got rheumatoid arthritis and all the medication for it depleted my immune system to ZERO. I still get colds, pnemonia (had those shots too) and I find I get sick just about the same with or without the flu shot.