Our Featured Content
Our Latest Perspectives Posts
Flu Vaccination Blitz Needed for Long-term Healthcare Workers
The flu vaccine represents the single best strategy for preventing the flu, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many healthcare workers are vaccinated every year to help reduce their risk of contracting the flu and spreading it to their patients and families. Long-term care patients in particular may be prone [...]
Avoiding Swine Flu at the County Fair
County and state fairs are popular late-summer events in many regions of America. In addition to cash for the carnival rides, funnel cakes and “food on a stick”, this year’s fair-goers should equip themselves with an awareness of a new flu strain that is being spread by pigs to people—a variant of H3N2 called H3N2v. [...]
Hand-washing and the Role of Feedback in Hygiene Strategies
Can video cameras be used to encourage health care workers to wash their hands? Yes, according to one study, but only if video-monitoring is combined with continuous feedback to workers. Feedback, that is, as in progress displayed on electronic boards mounted in hospital hallways! Are there other uses for the monitor and feedback approach? Hand-washing [...]
Norovirus: The “Stomach Flu” That is Not a Flu
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes flu-like symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. (Image from CDC website) The dreaded “stomach flu” that hits particularly hard in winter is not a flu at all. It is norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramping. According to [...]
InFLUenza: Early 2012 Update and Tips for Staying Healthy
Flu News: 2011-2012 Flu Season: So Far, So Good Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) flu prevalence maps indicate flu season is off to a slow start. But don’t be complacent: Flu activity most often peaks during the month of FEBRUARY. Flu Season is Unpredictable In the U.S., on average, 5 -20% of the [...]
Flu Shots: Save Your Health, Your Marriage, Your Holiday
As brilliant gold and red leaves fall from the trees, the majesty of winter is ushered in, along with…flu season. Flu season also coincides with the busiest travel period of the year, an unfortunate coincidence that according to the Walgreens Flu Impact Report, contributed to foiling the plans of over three million US vacations last [...]
2010-2011 Flu Season: Getting Ready
InFLUenza is a contagious, respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can be mild, but in its severe form can lead to death. Older adults, young children and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Last [...]
National Influenza Vaccination Week – December 6-12
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated this week (Dec. 6-12) as National Influenza Vaccination Week to highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to vaccinate against influenza (flu) and to foster even greater efforts going forward.
Rapid Influenza Tests Often Fail to Detect H1N1
Doctors’ offices and hospitals are using “rapid influenza diagnostic tests” to identify the presence of the H1N1 flu in patients; however, these tests actually do a poor job of sniffing out H1N1 because the rapid test does not detect H1N1, only influenza A. A confirmatory test must be done to identify H1N1 – a strain of influenza A.
Second Wave of H1N1 Peaks
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says the level of H1N1 activity across the United States has dropped for the fourth straight week, indicating that the second wave of H1N1 in the United States has peaked.
Our Twitter Feeds
Keep in Touch
Email Subscription