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CNN Live At Daybreak
Flu Cases on the Decline, Severity of Outbreak Unknown
Aired January 09, 2004 - 06:53 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Finally, there is some good news about the flu. Health experts say they are cautiously optimistic -- ooh, that's a cliche -- that we've seen the worst of the flu.
Our Dr. Sandra Fryhofer is here with more.
So, has the flu peaked?
DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We certainly hope so. The number of doctor's visits for the flu like symptoms has gone down. Also, the number of states with widespread activity has gone down to 38 states from 42 states last week. But usually the flu doesn't start to go away until late -- or peak until late January/early February. So as you said, the CDC is being cautiously optimistic.
COSTELLO: And kids have died from the flu this season. Are we just hearing more about the deaths or are more children really dying from the flu this season over past seasons?
FRYHOFER: Well, we don't know that because they really haven't kept good records of that in the past. Ninety-three children have died from the flu this year. It's so sad, so tragic. Only a third of these children had chronic medical conditions that might predispose them to more complications from the flu. So, also, a lot of these kids are getting -- having flu complications with infections, like pneumonia, and some of these bacterial infections are resistant to antibiotics. So the CDC is telling doctors to check, be extra specially careful about checking for resistant, drug resistant infections.
COSTELLO: So, if you haven't been able to get the flu shot and flu vaccines are available, should you go ahead and get it still?
FRYHOFER: If you can find one, go for it. But there's not much flu vaccine around. The previously ordered pediatric doses of the flu vaccine are starting to arrive in the different states. So call the health department. There is FluMist, the nasal vaccine, still available.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Dr. Sandy.
FRYHOFER: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: And, of course, this hand stuff and Kleenex.
FRYHOFER: That's right.
COSTELLO: Wash your hands.
FRYHOFER: Respiratory hygiene, good manners will keep everyone from getting infections, not just the flu, but also colds and even SARS.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired January 9, 2004 - 06:53 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Finally, there is some good news about the flu. Health experts say they are cautiously optimistic -- ooh, that's a cliche -- that we've seen the worst of the flu.
Our Dr. Sandra Fryhofer is here with more.
So, has the flu peaked?
DR. SANDRA FRYHOFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We certainly hope so. The number of doctor's visits for the flu like symptoms has gone down. Also, the number of states with widespread activity has gone down to 38 states from 42 states last week. But usually the flu doesn't start to go away until late -- or peak until late January/early February. So as you said, the CDC is being cautiously optimistic.
COSTELLO: And kids have died from the flu this season. Are we just hearing more about the deaths or are more children really dying from the flu this season over past seasons?
FRYHOFER: Well, we don't know that because they really haven't kept good records of that in the past. Ninety-three children have died from the flu this year. It's so sad, so tragic. Only a third of these children had chronic medical conditions that might predispose them to more complications from the flu. So, also, a lot of these kids are getting -- having flu complications with infections, like pneumonia, and some of these bacterial infections are resistant to antibiotics. So the CDC is telling doctors to check, be extra specially careful about checking for resistant, drug resistant infections.
COSTELLO: So, if you haven't been able to get the flu shot and flu vaccines are available, should you go ahead and get it still?
FRYHOFER: If you can find one, go for it. But there's not much flu vaccine around. The previously ordered pediatric doses of the flu vaccine are starting to arrive in the different states. So call the health department. There is FluMist, the nasal vaccine, still available.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Dr. Sandy.
FRYHOFER: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: And, of course, this hand stuff and Kleenex.
FRYHOFER: That's right.
COSTELLO: Wash your hands.
FRYHOFER: Respiratory hygiene, good manners will keep everyone from getting infections, not just the flu, but also colds and even SARS.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
