The height of flu season has arrived - and more Newtown residents are feeling the aches, weakness, fever, and, in some cases, life-threatening affects of this highly contagious disease, as well as a separate stomach bug circulating in the region, according to Health District Director Donna Culbert.

At the same time, everyone from health professionals to emergency responders are taking precautions and issuing important reminders - like paying attention to hand washing, staying out of work and away from people if you are feeling symptoms, and getting a flu shot if you haven't already.

Greg Dworkin, MD, chief of Pediatric Pulmonary at Danbury Hospital says getting that the ultimately preventative vaccine now can still prevent contraction of several of this year's flu strains.

"We track flu cases closely every winter at Danbury Hospital, and also follow what the state and CDC reports," he said. "We've seen an uptick of cases this month as flu season gets underway, and while there are different strains, it's mostly a seasonal variation that we had expected. This year's flu shot is a good match, and it's not too late to get one."

The CDC is encouraging all people over the age of 6 months old to be vaccinated for the flu.

Some groups are more likely to have complications from the seasonal flu.

These include:

*Those age 65 and older

*Children younger than 2 years old

*People of any age who have chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma, congestive heart *failure, lung disease)

*Pregnant women

The Newtown Health District has been keeping a watchful eye on the news and reports of the flu and flulike illness, knowing this is the time of year when that particularly dangerous ailment is on the rise.

"Although we haven't received many reports of flu, we know that there is plenty of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in the community, and it's typical statewide," Ms Culbert told The Bee on January 10.

The health district's monthly display in the main corridor at the Municipal Center emphasizes flu prevention and clean hands.

"Flu is serious business," Ms Culbert affirmed, "a patient can have complications, and we know that flu kills tens of thousands of people every year.Department of Public Health identifies influenza (the flu) as a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses.

The state

Two basic types of virus circulate in the United States, group A and group B. Influenza A may cause moderate to severe illness in all age groups and infects humans and other animals. Influenza B causes milder symptoms and affects only humans, primarily children.

"We emphasize flu, but it's really all of the infectious illnesses and resulting conditions we are concerned about - colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, as well as the gastrointestinal or stomach bug," Ms Culbert added. "Yes, it can mean lost time at work or school, but to some folks, who may be vulnerable or frail, or fighting a debilitating disease or receiving immune system compromising therapy, it could cost a lot more."

So the health district urges anyone experiencing even minor or onset symptoms to "think about yourself, your family, and the person next to you at work or school, or in line at the grocery store or at church; protect yourself and protect them too."

Ann Dalton, Newtown's school nurse supervisor, told the health official recently that although the schools have been experiencing some illness, both respiratory as well as gastrointestinal, and a few flu cases, the numbers have not been excessive or beyond what is typically experienced at this time if year.

Of course, that can change at any time.

Ms Culbert urges residents to take five easy steps to minimize transmission of illness:

*Hand washing

*Stay home when sick

*Rest

*Fluids

*Eat well and nutritionally

On January 9, Blair Balmforth, the regional EMS coordinator at Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN), notified emergency responders including those in Newtown that the Network has implemented the mask request for influenza.

The Infection Control and Prevention Department and the Department of Infectious Diseases at WCHN have determined that the number of influenza cases in the state of Connecticut and the Danbury-New Milford region has reached a widespread level and the mask request is in effect.

That means all nonvaccinated health care providers (HCP) are expected to wear a mask wherever and whenever an unvaccinated health care worker might expose patients to influenza.

This includes, but may not be limited to, patient rooms, nurses' stations, hallways and elevators where patients might be present, as well as cafeterias and food service areas if patients may be present.

Mr Balmforth also noted that a Norovirus-like GI illness is also prevalent in the greater Danbury-New Milford area.

"Influenzalike illness (ILI) is defined as fever with a temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater, and a cough and/or a sore throat in the absence of a known cause other than influenza," he wrote in a recent memo to regional emergency responders and staff.

Noroviruslike illness is defined as sudden onset of nausea/vomiting and diarrhea and may be accompanied by fever, headache, or muscle aches. Masks are also available to emergency workers at all network emergency room entrances.

For more information locally, visit the Newtown Health District in the Municipal Center at 3 Primrose Street, or call 203-270-4291.

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