Tuesday's first round of flu shots at the Brandon Senior Center opened the door to the seasonal onslaught on the illness. ...more

October 10, 2007

TAMPA - A steady stream of elderly people paraded into the Brandon Senior Center on Tuesday morning, becoming the first foot soldiers this fall to enlist in the annual microscopic war with the relentless influenza virus. The operation usually runs smoothly, and this year is no different. Seniors, many of whom are called in from the bingo session next door, file in and fill out the paperwork before walking to the shot station. Each handed over Medicare cards to pay for the vaccinations; each was given a yellow card to remind them to come back next year, same time and same location. ...more

October 9, 2007

Flu season has begun, and can continue through February or later. Influenza (the flu) is a contagious and potentially serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. ...more

October 6, 2007

Fever, chills, dry cough, sore throat and muscle aches signal the onset of flu season every winter. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized yearly with influenza complications, and an estimated 36,000 die — mostly elderly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ...more

October 4, 2007

Think you'll need a shot in the arm soon? Don't dally. Your health is at stake. ...more

September 26, 2007

Come one, come all: After years of shortages and confusion, this fall promises plenty of flu vaccine to go around - up to 132 million doses, more than the nation ever produced. ...more

September 20, 2007

The number of deaths in the United States rose in 2005 after a sharp decline the year earlier, a disappointing reversal that suggests the 2004 numbers were a fluke. Cancer deaths were also up. ...more

September 13, 2007