Saturday, October 13, 2007

Flu

Aah, aah-choo!

OSU student first flu victim

Let the high fever, headache, sore throat, cough and muscle aches begin: Oregon has its first confirmed influenza case of the season, state officials said Friday.

The case occurred in an Oregon State University student, who is recovering.

"Flu has arrived in Oregon, and we expect more cases in the coming weeks," said Dr. Susan Allan, a public health director in the state Department of Human Services. "This is a good time to seek vaccination, which is the best protection against influenza."



















Oregon has received more than 700,000 doses of flu vaccine, and a record supply is expected this season, Allan said.

Health officials advise everyone to get vaccinated, especially:

Children age 6 months to 5 years and school age

Pregnant women
People age 50 and older
People with chronic medical conditions

People in nursing homes and other care facilities

People who live with or care for people at high risk of complications
Health care workers

Almost 450 Oregonians die of flu every year among 36,000 deaths nationally.

-- Lynne Terry

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