By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
Following the recent flu-related death of a young boy in New Canaan, there has been increased attention on influenza, the common viral infection affecting more than 3 million people per year.
The Greenwich Public School district issued an update on influenza last week in an email to parents, detailing signs and symptoms, vaccination information and what the district is doing to protect students.
According to the email, “Custodial staff has been directed to increase their cleaning schedules and use antiviral cleaning products through the end of the flu season. They have also been asked to ensure that all communal surfaces are treated regularly and repeatedly (e.g., door knobs, cafeteria/media center/classroom tables, hand railings, water fountains, faucets, etc.). Hand sanitizer stations will be checked and re-stocked as necessary in all of the buildings.”
School nurses have sent alerts to all parents in grades where there have been confirmed cases of the flu. The nurses are also taking data on student and staff absences due to the flu, and reporting them to nursing supervisor, Mary Keller, on a weekly basis.
According to Greenwich’s Director of Health, Caroline Baisley, there have been two dozen-plus reported cases of influenza around town since flu season began. She stressed the number is higher, since there are always unknown cases.
Also according to the Department of Health website, on average, over 225,000 people are hospitalized annually around the country for seasonal flu-related complications.
Influenza is a contagious disease caused by a group of respiratory viruses, which include Influenza A and Influenza B, and can affect anyone. People at high-risk include children under the age of five, pregnant women, adults over the age of 65 and people with underlying medical conditions.
The incubation period of the flu is one to three days. However, an individual can be contagious from the day before symptoms appear until seven days after the original onset.
According to Dr. James Sabetta, Director of Infectious Diseases at Greenwich Hospital, it is often difficult to distinguish flu from a regular, routine viral infection or respiratory illness. He said that the sudden onset of respiratory symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, runny nose, coupled with a fever and chills, could be tell-tale signs of influenza.
“All of a sudden, you’re fine one minute, the next minute you get very, very ill with a respiratory infection. You really got to think of the flu,” he said. “The sudden onset, the severity of the symptoms, and having aches all over. That’s pretty characteristic.”
Other associated symptoms include fatigue, flushing, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. Frequent and careful hand-washing with soap is important to prevent exposure or the spreading of germs. Treatment usually involves rest and fluids so the body can fight the infection on its own. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers may be prescribed, as well, to help symptoms.
Sabetta said there has been an increase of flu-related cases at the hospital (mostly outpatient treatment) in recent days, but this is the time of year when flu season usually peaks.
“We’ve definitely had more patients with influenza, I’d say in the last two weeks,” he said, noting that the majority of cases he’s dealt with involve Influenza A, or H3N2. “But the volume of cases that we’re seeing, the number of tests that are being done, is about the same as it was last year.”
Sabetta said the flu is always a potentially very serious condition, and that it’s very unpredictable year-to-year since the severity of the season is dependent upon the strains.
“The strains usually change in a minor way each year, and sometimes they change in a major way,” Sabetta said, noting that a major change would be labeled as a pandemic. “We don’t have major changes, but presumably there are some subtle changes to the strains that cause people to not be immune, or for the vaccine to not be as effective.”
The vaccine creates antibodies, which latch on to the influenza virus to kill it. If the virus changes just a little bit from the previous year, the antibodies won’t fit and the vaccine, or immune system, is rendered less effective. “It’s like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole,” Sabetta said.
Sabetta said it will be a while until people know how successful this year’s vaccine has been. A typical vaccine is about 65-70 percent effective. “This year, I’ve heard of figures as low as 25-30 percent, but, again, I don’t think that will be known until the season is over.”
The vaccine, Sabetta said, is always based on what occurred the year before in the United States and the other hemisphere. By spring or early summer, next year’s vaccine will be formulated.
“People always ridicule the vaccine, but it’s the best thing we have,” Sabetta said, pointing out that it’s not too late to receive one. “It’s not a waste to get the vaccine. At least it will hopefully give you some partial immunity.”
The tragic death of a young boy due to complications from the flu in New Canaan serves as a reminder of how serious the illness can be. Sabetta pointed out that there are in excess of 20,000 deaths per year nationwide attributed to the infection.
“It dramatizes to a very, very sad way how significant the flu is. It should not be taken lightly. I think the flu is a very, very significant problem and always has been. You have to have a lot of respect for it,” he said.
Residents with question or concerns should log on to the town of Greenwich Department of Health website for flu and vaccination updates, or consult with their primary care providers if experiencing any symptoms.
