Menino Declares Flu Outbreak; Cases in Sudbury Low

About a dozen cases reported in town so far.

Mayor Thomas Menino declared a health emergency due to Boston's flu outbreak. But here in Sudbury the news is more positive. According to Sudbury Board of Health Directory Bob Leupold, only 12 cases have been reported in town this season. "We looked at some statistics (at Tuesday night's board meeting)," he said. "It’s difficult to tell, with the low numbers reported here, to determine if there’s a crisis in Sudbury." Leupold is encouraging people to get the flu shot if they have not done so. There were over 700 reported cases in Boston this flu season, according to the Boston Public Health Commission. That's 10 times the average number of cases last year, according to WBUR.  Fortunately, there's plenty of vaccine to go around this year, …

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The Season Is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in Sudbury

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in Sudbury than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Sudbury Patch-specific data is not available on Flu Trends.) Overall in Massachusetts, activity is considered high now, while it was also considered high at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Sudbury that offer the vaccine: According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country.  Five states – Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee – are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Avoiding H1N1, Seasonal Flu, and Other Viruses, Too

Be prepared now before it's too late.

It is likely that memories of last year’s flu season are still fresh in the minds of many  —H1N1 infected millions, and vaccine shortages led to fear and anxiety while waiting for the flu vaccine to arrive. Flu activity is likely to peak as usual in January, February and March. It is hard to predict what kind of season we can expect this year, but the latest vaccine — which protects against three strains of flu, including the H1N1 virus — is already at doctor’s offices and clinics. This flu season the CDC has voted in favor of a universal recommendation for the flu vaccine — this means that everyone age 6 months or older should get vaccinated. You can get vaccinated anytime from now through the end of April, though sooner is better. Though…

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Heidi Zizza

9:41 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011

My household all got the flu in December, it was not fun! I hope it is behind us.   more ›

Healthy Living in Sudbury

Why you should get a flu shot

How to avoid unpleasant flu symptoms and where to get your vaccination.

Flu season is just around the corner, along with all the discomforts of sore throats, runny noses, and achy, tired muscles. The best way to avoid the flu this year is not to fight it off, but to avoid it altogether by getting vaccinated and becoming immune to the most common strains of flu. Sudbury will have flu clinics when a supply of vaccine has come in, said Linda Sullivan, the Sudbury Board of Health nurse. Although last year Sudbury public schools had flu clinics for students because of the H1N1 virus, Jan Love, the administrative secretary at Josiah Haynes Elementary School, said she does not expect to have flu clinics in school this year for students. The best way to get a flu shot in the near future is at a doctor's office or at …

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