Boo, the Flu Is Back! : Symptoms Show Up, Shots Begin

It’s baaack !

The flu season is upon us, bringing with it those uncomfortable symptoms of fever, muscle aches and pains and respiratory infections.

Health officials said there is no real evidence yet that the influenza virus is present, but symptoms have been showing up recently at local businesses and schools.

This month, the Orange County Health Care Agency began monitoring hospital emergency rooms for signs of flu, and local clinics and hospitals started to immunize those at risk.

Dr. Gerald Wagner, the health agency’s immunization program director, said the virus is most prevalent January through March. Nevertheless, public health officials this week began a program to immunize 60,000 people in the county by late December.

Wagner said the vaccine provides protection against three strains of the virus that were the most common forms reported last year: A/Shanghai, A/Taiwan and B/Yamagata, all named for their places of origin.

Until the vaccine runs out, Wagner said, the shots will be provided free at county health department clinics.

“We are anxious to use up our vaccine. . . ,” Wagner said. “The time it takes from walking in the door to leaving (is) about 15 minutes.”

He said the program is targeting people age 55 and older, and people of any age with chronic illnesses, because the virus can complicate other existing medical problems.

Friday morning, officials at Samaritan Medical Center-San Clemente said they expect to provide free flu shots for about 1,000 people in an annual program, an estimated increase of about 300 over last year.

Lynne Wilson, medical center spokeswoman, said most of those who have received shots are older adults.

Dr. Hildy Meyers, the county health agency’s epidemiologist, said Friday that there have been no noticeable outbreaks in the county, but the department is checking hospitals weekly for increases of respiratory infections.

But signs of the virus are creeping up in other places. At Rockwell International Corp. in Anaheim, symptoms began appearing about three weeks ago, personnel assistant Sandra Black said.

“It’s that time of year,” she said. “This week has not been as bad as the last couple of weeks. It usually manifests itself around Christmas.”

Black said the company’s medical office has been seeing about 20 employees a week. It is not known how many actually have the virus, but Black said some workers have complained of flulike symptoms.

Lillian Sanders, Garden Grove High School nurse, said students there have also been arriving at her office with flulike ailments, including throbbing headaches.

“There is always flu going on here,” Sanders said. “There seems to be an increase in everything.”

For those who already find themselves sidelined, Wagner recommended the time-honored formula of rest and plenty of fluids.

He said that aspirin should not be administered to young children and that the illness should run its course in five to 10 days.

Wagner said the vaccine is being offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the department’s Santa Ana clinic, 1725 W. 17th St.; from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays in Buena Park, 7212 Orangethorpe Ave., and from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays in Westminster, 6462 Industry Way.