Firefighters' Warning: Don't Mistake Carbon Monoxide Symptoms for the Flu

Both have very similar symptoms, here's the easiest way to tell the difference.

The carbon monoxide deaths of two Clairton men last week, blamed on a broken furnace, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette , is prompting a new round of warnings from area firefighters. In McCandless, firefighters average about 30 calls a year for suspected carbon monoxide problems. About 10 of those calls reveal people with symptoms, or homes with elevated readings, according to Shawn P. O’Brien, deputy fire chief of the Highland Fire Company Station No. 186. In Cranberry, fire administrator Mark Nanna said the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company runs about 29 calls per year for carbon monoxide complaints. In most cases, Nanna said the calls turn out to be bad detectors or CO detectors with dead batteries. "Very seldom do we …

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Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some myths.

The Henry Ford Health System, headquartered in Detroit, has released this fact sheet on the truths and myths of fighting the flu: The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water…

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: In a Harsh Flu Season, Vaccination is the Best Prevention

Deb Brown, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic, also writes that preventing illness can be as simple as washing your hands.

To the Editor: Flu season is harsher this year than previous years. The American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic urges everyone to take healthy steps to weather the flu season. Vaccination is safe and effective and the best way to help prevent influenza. Influenza vaccine options are available for children, adults and seniors.  Parents of young children should know that children 6 months through 8 years of age receiving a flu shot for the first time need two doses of vaccine, approximately one month apart, for optimal protection. Along with getting vaccinated, warding off influenza is as simple as washing your hands. Germ control during flu season is crucial to keeping yourself healthy.  During flu season make sure that you: Visit www…

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Allegheny County Reports Four Recent Flu Deaths: Where to Get Flu Shots in Cranberry

Pennsylvania is reporting high influenza activity, according to the state health department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Allegheny County certainly isn't immune from the widespead outbreak of influenza reported by the Pennsylvania Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Allegheny County Health Department reports four local deaths in the last few weeks have been attributed to the influenza Type A virus. All four deaths have been patients 65 years or older, with the oldest victim 98 years old, according to Dr. Jim Lando, acting director of the department's Office of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. "Influenza does take people each year," he said. "That's why we do recommend that people get vaccinated." Lando said that between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012—the most up-to-date reporting period this flu season—there had been 215 confirmed …

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CDC Says the Season is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in Cranberry

After a slow start, the number of flu cases in the Pittsburgh area has started to rise.

The flu may have passed you by this holiday season, but if you haven't had a flu shot yet, you are at risk. After a slow start, the number of flu cases in the Pittsburgh area has started to rise and is now approaching moderate to high levels. According to the Allegheny County Health Department, as of Dec. 4, there were 30 confirmed cases of the flu in Allegheny County, with the actual number predicted to be three to four times higher, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported.  Last flu season, the number of cases in Pennsylvania reached its highest level in the last week of December and first week of January. This year, Pennsylvania has already hit last year's peak.   Flu shots are available in Cranberry at many locations, including: To find …

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Flu Season Heating Up; Do You Have Your Flu Shot?

Here's what you need to know about flu symptoms and flu shots.

With more flu cases popping up, it's time to get serious about your flu shot if you haven't gotten it yet.  Who needs to get a flu shot? Dr. Roy Seitz, director of the emergency department at St. John Medical Center, offered this list. Click here for more information on flu shots from the Centers for Disease Control. The Allegheny County health department  offers flu shots at its walk-in clinic at 3441 Forbes Avenue in Oakland. No Appointment necessary: • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Health Department’s walk-in clinic provides flu shots as a covered benefit to people with Medicare Part B who are not in an HMO and may get vaccine from any Medicare-approved provider…

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