When the weather warms up, it’s hard to tell what is causing your sneezing, coughing and runny nose symptoms. The question is – when you sneeze, are you suffering from allergies, or experiencing the symptoms of a cold or the flu?

This year, the milder winter weather nationwide is resulting in reports of an extended allergy season. One reason: the warmer climate is allowing system-irritating pollens like ragweed to experience a longer growing season, as reported by MSNBC.MSN.com.

On the flip side, the warmer weather has helped to reduce the severity of this year’s cold and flu season. this can be explained by the fact that people were able to get outside more frequently in the nicer weather, helping to prevent germs from spreading as easily as when people are confined inside.

Allergies are developed when the autoimmune system reacts to foreign invaders, or allergens. And the common cold is caused by a virus. Neither can be “cured,” but the resulting complications can be treated to help you at least feel better.

So when you start coughing, sneezing and complaining about a stuffed-up nose – or you discover yourself feeling sluggish and reaching for a box of tissues – are you going to be treating an illness or allergy symptom?

In the long run, it doesn’t matter if you have the flu or allergies if you can find a product that offers relief of the symptoms for both. For example, ingredients found in Contac cold & Flu Maximum Strength/Night formula offer temporary relief of symptoms for both cold and allergies. So if you or a family member (12 or older) is experiencing congestion, headache, fever or itchy, watery eyes, the following ingredients can help provide relief:

* Acetaminophen – this helps to relieve pain and reduce fever. * Phenylephrine hydrochloride – Works as a decongestant, opening up airflow in the nasal passages. * Chlorpheniramine maleate – An antihistamine, reducing the sneezing, runny nose and watery-eye symptoms.

Likewise, the decongestant and pain reliever found the in the Contac Day formula will offer temporary relief of cold and allergy symptoms like sinus congestion/pressure and headache – no matter if they are caused by allergies or a cold virus. However, it is important to note that Contac Non-Drowsy (the day formula) does not contain an antihistamine.

If you find your sneezing or coughing to be interrupting your family’s busy schedule, don’t waste time worrying if allergies or a virus is the culprit. Instead, address the symptoms so you can get back to your busy schedule in comfort. Remember, all Contac products contain acetaminophen. please refer to the packaging for important safety information. Visit contac.com/coupons to download a $1 coupon off Contac.

Get out to enjoy the warmer weather as the mild winter winds down and spring arrives with green grasses, beautiful flowers, and yes, allergens. You’ll be prepared to tackle any allergy or cold/flu symptoms as they come your way.

WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) — an unusually mild winter in much of the eastern United States has brought early misery to people with pollen allergies, doctors say.

Dr. Derek Johnson, medical director of the Fairfax Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Clinic in Virginia, said tree pollen counts on Feb. 23 in the Washington area were more than 100 times their level a year earlier, the Washington Post reported Monday. There were 365 grains of pollen per cubic meter in 2012, up from just 2.88 in 2011.

“It really is unusually early for patients to be this miserable,” Johnson told the Post. “The mild winter has resulted in very high pollen levels in February and early March, when they’re typically very low or negligible.”

Dr. Jackie Eghrari-Sabet, an allergist in Gaithersburg, Md., predicted “a slow, grand parade” of misery for the susceptible because some species of tree are pollinating early and others are on their usual schedule.

To complicate things further, doctors warn the flu season is not over, so people who develop respiratory symptoms or body aches and pains should not just assume it is early hay fever, WLS-TV in Chicago said.

Dr. Andrew Bonwit of Loyola University Medical Center suggested anyone with symptoms that could be influenza should consider visiting the doctor.

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Friday, March 9, 2012

The influenza virus has been steadily increasing in Kansas, spiking to its highest level this flu season.

The Center for Disease Control has identified flu activity in the state as widespread, reporting an outbreak in at least half of Kansas. Officials said while the number of influenza cases has remained lower than usual this year, the virus will continue to circulate through the spring.

“There is still time for people to get a flu vaccination to protect themselves, their families and the community,” said Robert Moser, Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary.

The KDHE identified the first laboratory-confirmed influenza cases flu season on Dec. 21. Symptoms of influenza include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, and muscle aches. Complications can include pneumonia, ear and sinus infections, and dehydration; influenza may also worsen other chronic conditions.

On average, five to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts influenza yearly and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with complications. Older people, pregnant women, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at high risk for serious complications. serious complications of the influenza can lead to pneumonia and even death.

Aside from last year’s swine flu pandemic, a state health official said this year’s flu season has been the worst across Pennsylvania in the past six years.

While the number of confirmed flu cases have dropped significantly when compared to last flu season, the number of flu-like deaths and hospitalizations have increased, said Holli Senior, spokeswoman with the state Health Department.

“Compared to the last six (flu) seasons, this flu season was not mild,” said Senior.

The swine flu pandemic swept through the state last year and caused the number of confirmed flu cases to soar to numbers that aren’t suitable for year-to-year comparisons, local health officials said.

So far this season, 280 flu cases have been confirmed in York County, compared to last year’s 666 cases. one of the confirmed flu cases this year resulted in death, while four people died from flu-related illnesses last year.

Across the state, there have been about 15,000 fewer confirmed cases of the flu this flu season, but nearly 100 more hospitalizations and six more deaths than last season.

The state statistics show about one-third of the confirmed flu cases were to unvaccinated individuals.

And more than half of all flu deaths and hospital admissions occurred in individuals who didn’t receive a flu shot this season, according to the statistics.

The height of flu season is considered to occur between October to March, said Senior.

The state typically records the most flu activity between December and March, she said, meaning the brunt of flu activity this season has passed.

Average year: Meanwhile, flu activity at York City’s Bureau of Health has been pretty average this year, said Deb Stoops, immunization coordinator of the bureau.

Stoops credits the lower number of flu cases in York

this flu season to more people getting vaccinated.

“After last year, flu shots were available for people everywhere this year, including Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS,” she said.

People who got severely sick from the flu this year were often those who opted out of the flu vaccination, she said, noting the importance of the vaccine.

The city’s health department distributed about 3,100 flu vaccines this year, she said.

But that’s nothing compared to the 10,500 that were distributed to senior centers, schools and residents last year in anticipation of the H1N1 flu virus, she said.

Stoops also said the health bureau gave city residents Tamiflu during this year’s season, which most likely contributed to lower flu cases this year.

The medication is used to treat some types of flu in adults and children older than 1 who experience early symptoms of the flu.

The city’s health department stopped distributing flu vaccinations at the end of March, said Stoops.

– Reach Lauren Whetzel at 505-5432.

Erie County’s number of reported flu cases is expected to decrease for the fourth straight week.

But it doesn’t mean flu season is finished, said Charlotte Berringer, R.N., director of community health for the Erie County Department of Health.

“Oh, no. We typically see flu cases through the end of May,” Berringer said. “All this tells us is that fewer people are getting tested and testing positive for flu.”

Berringer said no flu season is normal, but this season is more typical than the swine flu outbreak in fall 2009.

Not as many people are getting the flu. only 768 cases have been reported in Erie County this season compared to 1,587 cases during the outbreak.

This season also started in earnest around New Year’s Day. Flu season usually arrives here between January and March.

“This season started just a little earlier than normal and its peak was where we usually see it,” Berringer said.

Thirty-four cases were reported to the county Health Department this week through Friday at 3:30 p.m. It’s a decline from 48 cases the week before and 90 cases the week ending March 12.

Though the reported number of cases continues to drop, local physicians are still seeing patients with flu-like symptoms.

“We have seen a steady number in recent weeks,” said Tony Snow, M.D., a member of the Erie County Board of Health and medical director of Community Health Net. “It’s not as many as we had geared up for at the start of the season, but flu isn’t gone.”

Flu vaccine remains available, but demand isn’t what it was in the fall of 2009 during the swine flu outbreak, said Carla Picardo, M.D., a Health Board member and obstetrician/gynecologist with Erie Women’s Health Partners.

“We’ve seen a lot of pregnant women refuse flu shots this season,” Picardo said. “They were knocking down our doors last (season).”

DAVID BRUCE can be reached at 870-1736 or by e-mail.

WINFIELD, Ill. (WBBM) – Flu season is at its peak, but it’s not too late to get the flu shot.

As WBBM Newsradio 780’s Lisa Fielding reports, if you have the flu now, you’re far from alone.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Lisa Fielding reports

“At least 30 to 40 percent of patients that are coming in have flulike symptoms,” said Dr. Darin Jordan of Central DuPage Hospital.

The flu season started slow, but in the past month, cases have increased significantly, Jordan said.

Other than a flu shot, Jordan says, the best way to protect yourself is through adequate hygiene.

“Washing your hands, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and really if you have displayed flu symptoms, you want to stay at home and not expose others to those potential viruses,” Jordan said.

Flu season runs through may.

Baxter International inc. announced today results of a study published in this week?s issue of The Lancet that demonstrate effectiveness and tolerability of Baxter?s PREFLUCEL in protecting against seasonal influenza. The study data show nearly 80 percent protective efficacy against the influenza strains contained in the vaccine and a low adverse event profile. PREFLUCEL is manufactured using Vero cell technology, offering an innovative method of vaccine production compared to conventional embryonated chicken egg production, which has been used for decades.

Investigators studied the safety, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of PREFLUCEL through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial conducted in more than 7,200 healthy volunteers in the United States during the 2008/2009 influenza season.

“Seasonal influenza claims thousands of lives every year, but can be very effectively prevented through wide-spread vaccination,? said Professor John Oxford, D.Sc., Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London. “This study provides important new information that Baxter?s Vero cell-derived seasonal vaccine is well-tolerated, immunogenic and efficacious and should be considered when planning public health preventive efforts around flu season.?  

Study results indicated that participants responded positively to the vaccine, with 78.5 percent protective efficacy against culture-confirmed influenza infection (CCII) and robust immune responses (measured as seroprotection rates) against the three viral strains contained in the vaccine: A/H1N1- (88.0%), A/H3N2- (93.3%) and B-specific (97.1%). In addition to protection, study investigators found significantly reduced duration and severity of influenza symptoms in infected subjects in the vaccinated group, as compared with the placebo group in a subsequent analysis. The vaccine was well tolerated, with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported during the trial.

“PREFLUCEL has demonstrated robust immunogenicity and protective efficacy against common circulating flu strains, and may provide an important alternative to egg-based vaccines in planning seasonal influenza prevention efforts with a shorter production timeline,? said Hartmut Ehrlich, M.D., vice president of global research and development for Baxter?s BioScience business, and senior author of the publication. “The positive developments in vaccine cell-culture technologies may help contribute to improved strain selection and more robust vaccine supplies for the growing preventive health efforts around the world.?

The study was primarily designed to determine the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing CCII with viruses that were matched to one of the strains contained in the vaccine. Trial protocol also included assessing the correlation between antibody levels and CCII protection, as well as a comparison of the safety of the vaccine versus placebo.

Vero cell technology uses the natural virus, identical in protein composition to the virus circulating in nature, instead of genetically modified virus strains that are widely used for egg-based vaccine production. The resulting vaccine is of high purity because it is free of preservatives, antibiotics and egg proteins, and is suitable for adult and elderly populations, as well as people with egg or antibiotic allergies.

PREFLUCEL is available in Austria and Czech Republic for the 2010 to 2011 influenza season. Baxter expects to receive approval of PREFLUCEL in additional countries in Europe in 2011 through a repeat Mutual Recognition Procedure (rMRP).

Clinical trials on this vaccine are being completed as part of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority contract awarded in May 2006 to DynPort Vaccine Company LLC (DVC), a CSC company (NYSE:CSC).

About PREFLUCEL

PREFLUCEL is a seasonal vaccine composed of purified, inactivated split influenza virions. It is indicated for prophylaxis of influenza in adults and elderly and is the result of almost two decades of dedicated product development efforts to provide a safe and effective next-generation vaccine that can be dependably manufactured on an annual basis for each influenza season. PREFLUCEL is manufactured using Vero cell technology, Baxter?s proprietary technology platform.

PREFLUCEL clinical studies involved more than 15,000 participants, of which more than 9,000 adult and elderly participants received the vaccine. The most common undesirable effects observed were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, myalgia and malaise.

About Baxter

Baxter International inc. (NYSE: BAX), through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. as a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the company’s Vero cell technology and expectations with respect to the approval of PREFLUCEL in additional European countries in 2011. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; market acceptance of vaccines developed with Vero cell technology; and other risks identified in the company’s most recent filing on Form 10-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, all of which are available on the company’s website. The company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

Photos/Multimedia?Gallery Available: businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6612824&lang=en

It’s the middle of winter and you are under attack by a silentenemy that invades your nose, throat and lungs, reducing you to asneezing, sniffling and aching mess.

Yes, the flu season is here again, ready to strike our bodiesand make us feel miserable for days or even weeks.according toCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza normallypeaksinthe United States in January and February, spreading likewildfire across the country.

“Along with the common cold, flu is the most contagiouscondition this time of year,” says Sara Oliver, CPT, owner of BayArea TX Adventure Boot Camp. “Unfortunately, it takes more than anapple a day or a bowl of chicken soup to keep these nasty virusesaway.”

But while we can’t stop the spread of influenza, we can avoidgetting sick by strengthening our defenses against the invadingviruses. In fact, there are several ways to increase our immunityagainst the flu, Oliver notes.

“Vaccination is the best protection, but there are otherpreventive measures you can take in addition to getting the shot,”she says. “Basically, it’s a matter of boosting your immune systemso it can stop viruses before they attack your body. this is whereexercise is very effective.”

Oliver points to recent studies showing that exercise createsdisease-fighting cells in the immune system, making it moreresistant to colds, flu, and illnesses in general. and, thesestudies have also reported that while brisk activity isrecommended, we don’t have to work out to the point of exhaustionin order to get the immunity benefits of exercise.

“Research proves that even people who work out moderately atleast 30 minutes five days a week, increase the number ofimmune-system cells that circulate in the body and kill viruses andbacteria,” she says.“These folks have 46 percent fewer colds thanthose who work out only once a week or not at all. and even if theydo get ill, their symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, coughing,and runny nose are much less severe.”

The message here is clear: “If you work out on a regular basis,your immune system will heal your body quicker, with fewercomplications,” Oliver points out. “Sometimes, simplest thingsreally do work best!”

Oliver adds that there are other good preventive measuresbesides exercise that protect our health during disease outbreaks.“For example, eating vitamin-rich foods, drinking plenty of water,washing our hands frequently, and avoiding crowded public placesthat are real germ-fests, will also help,” she says. “It all comesdown to common sense, good judgment, and a healthy lifestyle.”

About Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp:

Sara Oliver, CPT opened Adventure Boot Camp in the Bay Area inOct. 2006 and has expanded to include over 7 times and locations.Schedules and client testimonials are available atGetToBootCamp.com. Sara, a certified boot camp instructor with12 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached or 713-515-5081.

January 30, 2011 2:00 AM

With cold and flu season upon us, it makes sense to do all we can to keep our immune system at its best. There are a number of action steps we can take to be healthy this winter.

These include getting adequate, high quality sleep, keeping up with regular exercise, lowering our stress level, eating a healthy diet, drinking enough fluids, reducing the risk of consuming/coming in contact with various microbes, and possibly consuming one or more sources of probiotics (helpful bacteria).

Did you know that our intestinal tract comes in contact with numerous toxins and foreign substances that it needs to defend against? the intestinal tract is actually the largest immune organ in the body. It is lined with a high percentage of immune system cells. It also gets assistance from some beneficial microbes that live there.

A healthy intestinal tract naturally contains more than 400 different microorganisms. They can generally be divided into “good” and “bad” microbes. Ideally, we should have a balance between the two. Unfortunately, this balance can lean more toward the “bad” when the person is under stress, is fatigued, has been exposed to antibiotic therapy, consumes excessive alcohol, consumes foods containing bacteria, or is an older adult. a diet high in sugar, fat, animal proteins, processed foods, alcohol — and low in fiber, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds — also promotes the “bad” microbes.

Symptoms of this imbalance can include food sensitivities, intestinal problems, poor digestion, and frequent illness or infections. Besides affecting the microbe balance in the intestinal tract, low intake of the healthy plant-based foods mentioned above can also compromise the person’s natural immune system in general.

How do the beneficial bacteria help to protect the body? They compete with the more negative microbes for food and locations of attachment in the intestinal tract. They can also directly kill the “bad” bacteria and stimulate the immune system to better fight off foreigners.

Because the lifestyle habits of many Americans promote the “bad” microbes, there is increasing interest in the intake of probiotics to improve the balance — more toward the beneficial side.

Probiotics are active (meaning alive) microbes (found in some foods and supplements) that survive the acidity of the stomach, take up lodging in the intestinal tract, and promote health.

Another term you may hear is “prebiotic.” This refers to non-digestible substances that are the preferred food source of the probiotics and help them to multiply more quickly. They also generate by-products that can directly kill microbes and improve the uptake of some nutrients. Prebiotics can be consumed through many plant-based foods or supplements.

The intake of foods and beverages containing probiotics has been around for centuries in countries around the world with the goal of improved immune system function. In the United States, the retail market for probiotics/prebiotics was $15 billion in 2008. It is estimated to increase to $22 billion by 2013.

Since probiotics stimulate the body’s natural immune system, another benefit is that they can possibly reduce the need for antibiotics. Reduced use of antibiotics can help counter the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant microbes. Because probiotics may reduce the risk of illness, they can also be an inexpensive way to lower personal health care costs.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that there are no standard recommendations for probiotic intake. It appears that their benefits are strain, dose, and condition-specific. An example is Lactobacillus GG, which, in certain doses, can help reduce rash symptoms from food allergies in children and reduce the risk of C. difficile infection, but may not help other conditions the way a different species of Lactobacillus can. It also means that doses of 100 million CFUs (colony-forming units) may work for one condition but might need to be as high as 30 billion for another. Numerous studies are under way to establish more guidelines.

With a goal of boosting overall immune system health, a mix of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria cultures is probably a good choice. Studies using some strains of these bacteria have shown reduced risk and/or shorter duration of illness in both children and adults. They are also recommended to restore intestinal health during and after antibiotic use.

Be aware that probiotics are sensitive to temperature, time, exposure to air, and other factors that can lower the number of CFUs. Probiotic supplements should be purchased from reputable companies that guarantee an amount of live cultures “good through the end of shelf life,” not “at the time of manufacture.” Consumers should follow the manufacturer’s instruction for storage.

Besides supplements, probiotics can be consumed through fermented foods, fortified foods, and cultured dairy products (yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, etc.). Healthy food sources can also provide other important nutrients. When using food sources, keep in mind that the probiotics tend to die if heated above about 110 degrees.

For information, check out usprobiotics.org and consumerlab.com.

Pam Stuppy, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, is a registered, licensed dietitian with nutrition counseling offices in York, Maine, and Portsmouth. She is also the nutritionist for Phillips Exeter Academy and is teaching healthy cooking classes at Stonewall Kitchen. Visit pamstuppynutrition.com for some healthy recipe ideas.

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If it’s January, it must be flu season in Maine.

The presence of influenza here kicked up a notch this week, moving from “regional” to “widespread” according to the federal flu code used by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

That designation reflects the confirmed presence of influenza in every part of the state, said Dr. Stephen Sears, state epidemiologist and acting director of the Maine CDC.

“It is not too late for people to get a flu vaccine,” Sears said in a recent interview. It takes only a few days for full immunity to develop, he said, and since flu season typically peaks in February and extends well into March, there is plenty of time for Mainers to protect themselves against the potentially life-threatening virus.

Last year, the H1N1 “swine” flu scare raised public awareness as well as demand for vaccines against both that strain and the regular seasonal flu. the H1N1 flu turned out to be much less virulent than public health experts anticipated. this year, a similar H1N1 strain is incorporated into the widely available annual vaccine.

Sears said there have been only a handful of flu-related hospitalizations in Maine so far this year, and no flu-related deaths. That could mean the strains circulating in the U.S. are causing relatively mild symptoms in most people.

But generally, influenza is not accorded the respect it deserves.

Each year, millions of Americans are sickened by the respiratory virus, with dismal symptoms that include fever, muscle and joint pain and respiratory symptoms such as coughs and sore throats. It can take up to a week for a case of flu to run its course, meaning the loss of many hours of productive school and work time in addition to the general misery the illness causes.

About 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year with influenza, and an estimated 35,000 die of flu-related conditions.

At highest risk for severe illness and death are very young children, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone with a compromised immune system due to HIV-AIDS, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, also can weaken the immune system and open the door for influenza.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine.

“Our major concern is for these most vulnerable populations,” Sears said.

Residential settings such as nursing homes are especially at risk for developing outbreaks among both residents and staff, he said: already, three long-term care facilities in southern and western Maine have been hit by flu outbreaks. Schools, too, can be affected when the virus gets a foothold in students, teachers and staff, Sears said, although so far no schools in Maine are reporting widespread illness.

Sears said the state is working with hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers to encourage all direct-care workers to get the flu vaccine in order to protect vulnerable patients. Teachers and child care workers also should be vaccinated, he said.

At Miller Drug on State Street in Bangor, pharmacist David Ingalls said this year’s flu season so far has been “lackluster” compared to last year.

“We are seeing a very mild influenza season,” he said.

While Miller Drug and other pharmacies have ample supplies of flu vaccine, he said, there is relatively little demand. most of those who have been vaccinated at Miller Drug have been elderly customers and those with chronic illnesses — people who realize they’re at higher risk should they be exposed to the 2011 flu virus.

Flu vaccine is reformulated every year and typically contains three strains of influenza chosen from those emerging in the Southern Hemisphere during the spring and summer. this year’s formulation appears to be a good match for the strains that are sickening people in the United States, according to the U.S. CDC.

Flu vaccines are available at most health care provider offices as well as at most pharmacies. an online vaccine finder is available at the Health tab of the Bangor Daily News.