The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the South is beginning to see a drop in flu infections, but we're not out of the woods yet. The agency says 29 children have died from complications of the flu.
Every Friday, CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden has been updating reporters on flu season. This year, he says, we're seeing a "worse than usual" that has been "really bad" for the elderly. But there are signs the flu outbreak may have peaked a month early in Georgia.
If you still need a flu shot -- and the CDC says everyone 6 months and older does --even this late in the game, health officials you can find a provider on flu.gov's flu vaccine locator.
FOX 5 news intern Jemeisha Lyde, who still hasn't gotten her flu shot, found the process easy. She found 50 locations within 10 miles of her location.
Finding the antiviral Tamiflu, if you do get sick, may be a little more challenging.
After reports some pharmacies are running out of the drug, which can ease the severity of flu symptoms, the FDA authorized the manufacturer, Genentech, to release 2 million additional doses from its stockpile.
The FDA says the medication comes in older packaging, but is not out-of-date.
The CDC says this flu season has been especially tough on seniors, 65 and older, whose weakened immune system leaves them at higher risk of severe complications, like pneumonia.
This year's vaccine is 62 percent effective -- far from perfect.
But health officials say its still your best shot at avoiding the misery making the rounds.
The CDC announced that vaccine manufacturers have been able to produce an extra 10 million doses of flu vaccine.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:48:46 GMT
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:08:35 GMT
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section.
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section. She was surrounded by more than a dozen specialists and nurses. But this high stakes birth wasn't in a hospital operating room. It was at Zoo Atlanta.
205 N. Michigan Avenue Ground Floor Chicago, IL 60601 Station Operator: (312) 565-5532 Newsroom: (312)565-5533
