No Change to Catholic Liturgy Sought in Western PA Due to Flu Season

How is the flu outbreak prompting you to change your worship?

As the ongoing flu epidemic continues around the United States, some church leaders around the country are changing procedures and issuing recommendations for avoiding the contagious ailment while worshipping. At masses this weekend in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, however, signs of peace and wine distribution from communal chalices during Communion will follow regular procedures, a diocesan spokesman said Friday. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week said it does not see the need for widespread changes to liturgy to prevent the spread of the flu nationally. It also noted that the decision lies with individual diocesan bishops to recommend or mandate such changes in their communities. For now in Western Pennsylvania, no …

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School District Working to Prevent Spread of Flu

How to know when you sick child can return to class.

This year's flu season has struck early and hard, especially in Washington County, and Peters Township School District sent out a notice to parents about how they can help reduce the spread of the flu. "We need your help to do this," wrote Dr. Patricia Kardambikis, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment. Kardambikis asks parents that if they suspect their child is getting the flu, he or she should not attend school. A sick child should not return to school for at least 24 hours after her or she no longer has a fever or does not have signs of fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. It is also important to teach your children, wrote Kardambikis, how to reduce their risk of getting the flu and protect …

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Widespread Flu Outbreak in Washington County

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

Washington County certainly isn't immune from the widespread outbreak of influenza reported by the Pennsylvania Health Department. Washington County has had 313 confirmed cases of influenza this flu season already. Nearby, 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 …

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Women's Health Rx

The Dreaded Influenza

You may be sick and tired of hearing about the flu, but read on so you won’t feel sick and tired from influenza.

By Mary Parks Lamb, M.D. ‘Tis the season for sniffles, coughs, headaches, fever and yes, influenza. You may be sick and tired of hearing about the flu, but read on so you won’t feel sick and tired from influenza. You need to know important information that just may spare you the wrath of the flu and all its unpleasantries. The culprits behind influenza, commonly called “the flu,” are viruses that infect the respiratory tract. The viruses come in several varieties, the most common of which are types A and B. The flu begins abruptly with malaise and a fever between 102-105 degrees farenheight. An adult typically has a lower fever than a child, but high fever is present none the less. Fever typically lasts a few days but can last up to five …

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Hello, Cold and Flu Season

Scratchy throat? Fever? Cough? If you have‚ or fear, the common cold, here's what you need to know to get—and stay—healthy.

By Dr. Mary Parks Lamb Medical Director Lakeside Primary Care 1001 Waterdam Plaza Drive McMurray, PA 15317 Office 724-969-1001 It’s that time of year again—cough and cold season is gearing up. You get that dreaded scratchy throat, headache, fatigue, sneezing and runny nose, and you know you’re in for misery for a week or two. But just what is the common cold and is there anything you can do to prevent it or treat it once it has taken hold? The common cold, or upper respiratory illness, is the most frequent acute illness we experience. It is caused by more than 200 subtypes of viruses. The illness consists of variable degrees of sneezing, nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, cough, low grade fever, headache, and malaise. Most adults…

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