Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Influenza

When I think about what I will be confronted with if I am the medical director in a school district or college, the flu virus is the first thing that jumps into my mind.  No matter where you are, urban or rural, the flu will also be there.  I have to be aware of the start of the flu season to make sure I am getting reminders for vaccines out to the kids and families as well as education on the flu, its symptoms and possible complications.  There was a sad case in Wayne County this winter where a teen died from the flu virus. Tyler Finn was a 14 year old boy who died from complications of Influenza B in February this year.  He did receive the flu vaccine but unfortunately still contracted the virus.  The article did not go into details about the complications that led to his death.  If the families are better educated on the flu, how the vaccine works, when to seek medical help, hopefully future deaths can be prevented.  As medical director at a school, I would take on the job of providing this education to the kids, the families and the whole community.