Flu Update: LVH and St. Luke's Restrict Hospital Visitors

People under 18 are not permitted to visit Lehigh Valley Hospital and St. Luke's Hospitals under new temporary restrictions.

Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network announced Monday that their hospitals are temporarily restricting visitors because of community-wide surges in the the flu and flu-like illnesses. Both networks said in prepared releases that visitors under age 18 will not be permitted in the hospitals. Also, people with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches) should not to come to the hospital to visit patients. Lehigh Valley Hospital said the visitation restrictions apply to hospital inpatient areas only and do not affect outpatient, procedure, treatment, diagnostic or pharmacy locations. St. Luke's University Health Network said the visitor restrictions are in effect at St. Luke’s Hospital – …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Diane Roberts

2:26 pm on Monday, January 21, 2013

Westfield Hospital, in Allentown, changed their visitation policy on January 10 when the surge in flu became imminent. Westfield also has restricted visitors, under the age of 18, to visit with those admitted and has asked that anyone who has a cough or flu-like symptoms not visit patients at the hospital. Westfield Hospital, who normally permits 24/7 visitation, reduced its visitng hours from 10…   more ›

Health Tip: Is It the Flu or a Cold?

Flu cases have doubled in Pennsylvania in recent weeks and it's a good time to review the symptoms - and get a flu shot

It's still not too late to get a flu shot. There's been a big increase in flu cases in Pennsylvania in recent weeks. The following health tip is from the Pa. Department of Health: Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu is different from a cold. Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms: These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms." If you think you have the flu, or do get sick, stay home from work or school so that you don’t infect or make others ill.

• Photos (1)

Pa. Flu Cases Have Doubled in Past Week

Flu cases in Pennsylvania have gone from sporadic to widespread, state health officials warn

The Department of Health reports there has been a significant rise in influenza activity across Pennsylvania since Thanksgiving.  The Department of Health is reporting flu activity has increased from sporadic to widespread throughout the state, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu made an appearance earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity is usually not seen until January. The number of cases reported to the department more than doubled in the past week.  “If you decided to wait, now is the perfect time to get vaccinated against the flu,” Acting Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. “Ensuring that you and your family …

• Photos (1)

CDC: Flu Season is Off to Early Start

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus. Did you get your flu shot?

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Nov. 26. Influenza -- more commonly known as simply "the flu" -- is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose. The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst flu seasons in a while, officials from the CDC said in a teleconference. There have been a larger number of suspected flu cases than usual in five Southern states, and this year's …

• Photos (1)

Flu Vaccine is Still Available

The height of the flu season is from late January through February, according to the state Department of Health.

Flu activity has been sporadic this winter, with 150 cases reported as of Jan. 7. That number is far less than in previous years, according to the state Department of Health. But we're not out of the woods yet. The height of flu season is from late January through February, said health department spokeswoman Christine Cronkright. The good news is that it's not too late to get a flu shot to better protect yourself from influenza -- and the fever and body aches that go with it. The state Department of Health’s website and its flu vaccine finder provide information by county or zip code about where to get flu shots. Among the locations in the Nazareth area to get flu shots are: From Oct. 2 to Jan. 7, nine cases of the flu were reported in …

• Photos (1)

Moxie Momma

Is the Flu Shot Worth the Risk?

Weighing the Risks and Benefits to Getting the Flu Shot

Both the Center for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children 6 months and older should receive an influenza vaccine because the rate of infection is highest among children.    My son went for his two-year visit to the pediatrician just last week and he was scheduled for a flu shot. Since he got one in years past, the nurse ordered the shots, assuming we would be agreeable.  The only reason we had gotten flu shots in the past, though, was because of the huge scare in 2009 about the H1N1 pandemic. Two years later, we thought it might not be necessary.   The flu shot is not immunization, we were told. It is a vaccination that must be administered annually and works by introducing the virus to the body in …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Mallory Vough

9:23 am on Friday, January 11, 2013

My father is allergic. Itchy, full-body rash for a week. I've never gotten a flu shot (I'm now 26) because everything he's allergic to, I'm allergic to. I'm afraid to find out if I'll have the same reaction -- or worse.   more ›