Health Advisory: Influenza Activity in KingCounty – March 5, 2009

Health Advisory: Influenza Activity in KingCounty – March 5, 2009 Health Advisory: Influenza Activity in King County – March 5, 2009 Action Requested

* Be aware that influenza activity in King County is increasing * Be aware of high levels of antiviral drug resistance among influenza A isolates and recent recommendations for treatment with influenza antiviral drugs * Consider bacterial co-infection with MRSA for patients with influenza-like illness and pneumonia

* Test patients hospitalized with respiratory disease for influenza * Continue to vaccinate patients throughout the flu season – this remains the most effective way to protect individuals from influenza infection and its complications Background Influenza activity in King County is increasing. Influenza surveillance indicators are lower than seen in recent years at this date; however, it is not possible to predict the severity or peak of seasonal influenza activity. Flu season typically peaks in January or later and has been in February or March in 11 of the past 20 seasons. The numbers of specimens submitted to Public Health’s sentinel laboratory-based influenza surveillance system and the proportion positive have been increasing since mid-February. The proportion of rapid antigen tests positive for influenza has increased from 6.6% for the week ending 1/24/09 to 14.7% for the week ending 2/21/09. Emergency department (ED) visits for influenza like illness (ILI) have also increased in the past 4 weeks. Children under 5 years old account for the highest proportion of ED visits for ILI. Influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B isolates are predominant: 70% of isolates have been influenza A and 30% have been influenza B. Of the 19 influenza A isolates that were typed, 18 were influenza A (H1). All influenza A viruses characterized in the U.S. this season are well-matched to the current vaccine; however, the majority of influenza B viruses (including locally) are not related to the vaccine strain. Nationally, 98.8% of influenza A (H1N1) isolates tested for antiviral resistance are resistant to oseltamivir. All of the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B isolates tested are sensitive to oseltamivir. No resistance to Zanamivir has been detected among any influenza isolates. With regard to adamantanes, 0.6% of influenza A (H1N1) and 100% of influenza A (H3N2) isolates are resistant. Influenza antiviral drug treatment is most important for patients at high risk for severe complications of influenza infection (I.e., patients requiring hospitalization). Empiric treatment recommendations include Zanamivir alone or oseltamivir in combination with rimantidine. Please review our DEC 2008 Advisory and CDC’s Interim Recommendations for the Use of Influenza Antiviral Medications (see below). Not all pharmacies stock Zanamivir and rimantadine, consider checking in advance if prescribing these drugs. Resources Public Health – Seattle & King County Influenza Activity www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/immunization/fluactivity.a spx Public Health – Seattle & King County Health Advisory on influenza antiviral drug treatment recommendationshttp://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/providers/advisorie s.aspx CDC Influenza Information for Health Care Providers (Including antiviral drug treatment recommendations) www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/ _____________________________________________ Jeffrey S. Duchin, MD, FACP, FIDSA Chief, Communicable Disease Epidemiology & Immunization Section Public Health – Seattle & King County Associate Professor in Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Washington 401 5th Ave, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98104 Tel: (206) 296-4774 Direct: 206-263-8171 Fax: (206) 296-4803 E-mail: jeff.duchin@kingcounty.gov <

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Green economic recovery plan

Hi,

Right now, the Senate is waffling on their support of President Obama’s bold, green economic recovery plan.

Obama and the House of Representatives have already said yes to a green stimulus plan which includes $500 million for the Green Jobs Act! Their recovery plan will create good, green jobs for America – but only if the Senate gets on board now.

I just took action on Green For All’s web site. Please do the same: tell your Senators to get on board, and pass Obama’s green recovery plan.

http://www.greenforall.org/senate-action-jan09

Thanks.
Liz

The big 40

Some would call this time in my life a *mid-life-crisis*. Wisegeek.com has this definition: “A mid-life crisis is an emotional condition that can appear in both men and women, usually around the age of 35 to 50 years.”
I say my emotion status changed over 3 years ago. I may claim a small part of this condition. I find myself taking more time to do what I like within reason to my goals. But I’m taking this new phase in life with enjoyment.
Like the 40th birthday party for an old friend. I don’t go out on the regular so this was a treat.
Me: I twisted my hair, put on some tight pants, a cute top and hills. I topped it off with a small pouch purse made from a rhinestone embellished bra.
The place: The place was laid out with two rooms, the dance floor were we had a good time doing the Cupid Shuffle. In the main room we had drinks and enjoyed the live music by SolStarr.
The people: The place was packed. All night the doorman had a line to work. The bartender made me a smooth fruity drink, and I met new friends or caught up with old ones.
The after party: focus on Carmen. The party room had some amazing at and a pole in the center of the dance floor. The music was pumped into every room and the conversations ranged from light chit chat about my bra purse to deep concern and change for our communities and the hope of the nation starting with Obama.
I met several people I’m looking forward to seeing and networking with in the future.
Check out the pics and music. Big love,
Liz

Winter Break with kids

This is a great and challenging time to be in Seattle. We had a white Christmas and was finding many different ways to fight cabin fever. I had one thing on my mind, making the kid’s Christmas wonderful. We sang songs, road the bust to visit family and I was able to meet Santa in the first of 3 snow storms to get the gifts early. The children were up at 3am to see if Santa came. I let them open any gifts in their stockings and back to bed till 8. They were so happy and thankful. We are blessed.
Now the rain is back and the snow is almost gone. I’m not used to cooking 3 meals a day so the kitchen is a mess, but the children are fed. I ran the dishwasher today and will clean the apartment that has had more people in it for the longest time all year.
To continue our winter break celebration we will watch the movies we got from Santa and from the library and make white chocolate cookies.
Don’t know what New Years Eve will look like? Pending a baby sitter or kids party with family, I’ll be at home with the TV.
Take care everyone.
Big Luv from,
Deflora

The Degree

I’m happy to announce my acceptance to the CEP program. I believe this degree will expose me to a very in depth understanding of the interconnected relationships of community environment and planning. I will graduate with the leadership abilities useful to someone who cares about how we impact our local and global communities.

Spring Break

My spring break is coming to a close and I’m refreshed. I have concurred the pile of laundry and have re-stocked my cupboards. The children will be off next week and we are planning a camping trip. Well we as in my sister. I will help with supplies.

Personally I am pampering myself to herbal bath scrubs, avocado facials and an occasional oatmeal bath. My final touch will be my quarterly change of hair styles. Yes braids, this time singles. Let me know how you like it after I post the pics.

Everyone take yourself out to the movies or a show within the next three weekends, just ‘cuz.

Jan 2008 update

I have read that 2008 is the official ‘New Beginnings’ year. I will accept this as the third new beginnings year since I have embarked on many over the past ten years.

 

I am happy to report I have chosen a major, Community Environment and Planning in the College of Architecture & Urban Planning. I will pair this with at least one minor in Diversity or Women’s Studies. I am currently taking a sociology class a music class and tutoring high school students this quarter.

My second victory to report is my weight loss. I have shed another seven pounds over the past three weeks.

 Lastly I am working on my next two writing projects. Relationships are my passion so; the focus on one article is the need for connection between singles and couples or families. The second is how to manage your health care coverage and tips for those without coverage.

Thank you for stopping by,

 

Picking My Major

Now that I’m back in school my number two focus is to pick a major that I can use in the workforce (the top focus is to study and do my best in each class). So I have narrowed my choices down to two areas of study, Sociology, http://www.soc.washington.edu/ and Construction Management, http://depts.washington.edu/cmweb/. I’m a social butterfly with a technology/math/analytical mind. So far I’m leaning toward the CM degree. I have a higher level of interest in the math and science, but my grades are better in sociology. I’m aware that the highest GPA may win out due to the highly competitive nature of the both programs. Then I look at my work history and I have more experience in operations, office management and industry vs social science. Hmmm what to do?

How Do I Look?

My face reflects my emotions. I don’t need makeup to define my beauty. My relationships help make me who I am. Makeup is something I use to reflect my confidence without conceit. By allowing God into my life, He has removed the pain in my heart caused by others. It was their issue/s not mines to hold. Now my relationships bare the fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patients, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. (Galatians 5.22-23)

 

How can we let God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit guide our relationships?

I want to use the application of make-up as a metaphor to explain this guidance.

Whole face: God is our foundation to all our relationships starting with our relationship with him. He is LOVE. He is not an angry god looking to punish you for every wrong. He is looking to woo you to him so He can love you. He invites us to enter into a personal relationship with his son Jesus. It is in this relationship that we are connected back to God and can enjoy the fullness of his love here-and-now and in eternity. (Romans 10.9, “because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”)

Eyes: To have someone trust us, we smile and widen our eyes. This is typically done with our couscous thought. With make-up you apply a shimmery beige/tan or brown shadow from lash to brow bone. Finish with a slightly darker shadow on the lids for definition. We can use our eyes to start friendships and give direct messages of rejection or acceptance. God clearly want us to, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Cheeks: The blushing bride is the first thing that comes to mind. Why would a bride blush? Most commonly to show her modesty, youth and anticipation of her new life with her husband. We should anticipate our relationships with warmth that causes the blood to fill our faces. We will see variant degrees of this depending on how close we are to each person. The anticipation of Jesus’ return should have his bride, the Church blushing.

Lips: If our eyes don’t get the attention, our mouth will. (Proverbs 22.14, 25.15, 26.6) In one search I found 308 scripture reference on the word mouth.

The color of your lipstick will attract different types of attention. One test had nine women go in for interviews for half of them they wore lipstick the other half they did not. This is some of the findings: the women wearing red lipstick and using larger lip displays were seen as more interested in themselves and in men’s attention, while women with reduced lip displays and muted or pastel colors were seen as more career-oriented and businesslike. The women with no lipstick were seen as more serious about work than men, but lacking in personal skills.

 v     First physical attraction: Love at first sight is more like or lust at first sight. You are saying ‘something about this person brings out the good in me, makes me feel good. This initial attraction is necessary for the relationship to be explored deeper than an associate or friend. It strikes a chord in us that says I will enjoy myself if I can spend time with this person. Now you begin to prepare yourself as someone this person is attracted to. You may choose your words to express welcome in a non-threatening manner. Further contact will have leading questions to determine if the person is attracted to you as well. Layering: Exfoliate moisturize

v     Second, flirts and interview: speed of response, body language, likes & dislikes, ignore or deal with it: Select contrast or complementing liner/complementing color is better.

v     Third, Can I see you me and we? Can you see yourself in this relationship? Just as the Bible says two will become one, relationships that develop with intimate ties will have a new identity a couple but the attributes/features of each individual should be recognizable. To lose yourself as you or your partner become overbearing is death to your self-esteem and the fullness of the relationship. Individual desires should be fulfilled by the discovery of ways to meet each other’s needs. (exmp. If you like your hair short so it is easy to manage, but your boyfriend or husband likes it long and flowing to accent your beauty and femininity, you could wear up do’s for you and let it swing on occasion for him.) Application of the lip liner—over the entire lip) you are still yourself within the relationship and blend as a new color with boundaries and definition..

v     Fourth, Give to get:  Now that you know you like each other, you can work out your differences and you feel good when you’re with each other, you can present to each other and the outside world your oneness. You are dedicated to each other for deeper intimacy and acceptance from your family, friends and network of support. Your needs are being met and you have a sense of fulfillment that you are caring for someone other than yourself. No need to be desperate and overwhelm those around you. Satisfaction is in your heart. In this state of contentment you are willing to give of yourself to maintain this healthy relationship. The blend of color is finalized and the prep work done in the first two steps allows the lipstick color to magnify the natural shape of the mouth. Blot and your need for self-confidence and for others to trust you are supplied.

(Scripture tie in Ephesians 4.1-3 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.)

More info:

How can we let God, Jesus (Ephesians 5.17 & 1 Timothy 1:16) and the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5.16 & 22-26) guide our relationships?