Diagenesis and distribution of sterenes in Late Miocene to Pliocene marine siliceous rocks from Horonobe (Hokkaido, Japan)

EXTRACTS HEALTH CARE WORKERS ALL NEED FLU VACCINES Recognizing that health care associated influenza outbreaks are common, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all health care workers are required to have flu shots. Such outbreaks contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality and place a financial burden on the health care system, with the AAP citing the effects as 610,000 years of life lost, 3.1 million days of hospitalization, 314 million outpatient visits, and an estimated cost of $87 billion in the United States. An estimated 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications and 36,000 die from flu each year. Influenza or flu is caused by a virus and manifests as a highly contagious respiratory illness usually spread by coughing and sneezing. It affects about 5% to 20% of the US population annually. Shaking hands and other touching behaviors transmit the virus. Adults are contagious 1 day before and up to 7 days after symptoms appear, so it is possible to spread the flu virus before you know you have been infected. Flu epidemics can last several weeks. Flu symptoms resemble those of a bad cold, including runny or stuffed up nose, sore throat, and cough. Persons with flu are more likely to develop aching joints or limbs, cold sweats or shivers, severe fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are also more common in children with the flu), headache, and high fever as compared with cold sufferers. Although most cases are simply uncomfortable, some people can develop severe complications. The risk of a severe case is greater for those aged >65 years; babies or very young children; pregnant women; persons taking steroids; persons with heart or cardiovascular disease, chest disorders such as asthma or bronchitis, kidney disease, or a long-standing disease that lowers immune status; and persons having cancer treatments. Severe complications include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and exacerbation of chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children can develop sinus problems or ear infections. Vaccinations are the single best way to protect against catching the flu. They are of two types, flu shots and nasalspray flu vaccine, with shots approved for persons aged >6 months. The nasal spray contains vaccine made of live but weakened flu viruses that do not produce illness. [Christian Nordqvist: There should be mandatory flu vaccines for all health care workers, American Academy of Pediatrics. Medical News Today, October 2010]

Volume 56



Issue 3



2011

125