Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Doctors bracing for seasonal flu, more H1N1 cases
By Melody Brumble
December 21, 2009
State health officials are preparing for a fresh round of flu ? this time from seasonal strains of the illness ? as an H1N1 outbreak winds down.
Seasonal flu usually spreads through this part of the country in January and February, then tapers off in March. Sentinel doctors around the state haven't reported seasonal flu yet, but vaccine is available at doctors' offices, hospitals and pharmacies. Seasonal flu vaccine will be available at parish health units in January.
"There's been no seasonal flu reported nationwide," said Dr. John Vanchiere, an assistant professor in LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport's pediatrics department. "It's anticipated that there's going to be another wave of swine flu. We're encouraging vaccinations for both.
We're heading into wintertime when we typically see flu. H1N1 is still circulating, and there are still millions of susceptible people who haven't been infected."
H1N1 flu vaccine should be available to the general public in January, said Sean Smith, a state Health and Hospitals spokesman.
Smith said H1N1 cases have declined in the past couple of weeks, but the state continues encouraging people to get vaccinated and practice basic hygiene to keep germs from spreading.
People can get H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines at the same time unless they want the nasal spray version of both. Children should get two doses of H1N1 vaccine about a month apart but need only one dose of the seasonal flu vaccine.
State health officials have focused their H1N1 vaccination campaign on children and pregnant women, who are at a higher risk for complications from the H1N1 strain. People with chronic illnesses and front-line health care workers also were targeted to receive the vaccine early.
Besides encouraging workers to be vaccinated, hospitals are taking other precautions to limit H1N1 infection. The new procedures will continue during the traditional flu season.
LSUHSC-S inpatients with flu are asked to wear a mask anytime they're moved around the hospital. Workers at the health center's outpatient clinics also are asking people if they have flu-like symptoms. Anyone who arrives with those symptoms is moved to an exam room quickly or asked to reschedule an appointment if the visit isn't critical. "We're more intent on isolating people who have flu to prevent the spread around the hospital," Vanchiere said.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20091221/NEWS01/912210319/1060/NEWS01
By Melody Brumble
December 21, 2009
State health officials are preparing for a fresh round of flu ? this time from seasonal strains of the illness ? as an H1N1 outbreak winds down.
Seasonal flu usually spreads through this part of the country in January and February, then tapers off in March. Sentinel doctors around the state haven't reported seasonal flu yet, but vaccine is available at doctors' offices, hospitals and pharmacies. Seasonal flu vaccine will be available at parish health units in January.
"There's been no seasonal flu reported nationwide," said Dr. John Vanchiere, an assistant professor in LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport's pediatrics department. "It's anticipated that there's going to be another wave of swine flu. We're encouraging vaccinations for both.
We're heading into wintertime when we typically see flu. H1N1 is still circulating, and there are still millions of susceptible people who haven't been infected."
H1N1 flu vaccine should be available to the general public in January, said Sean Smith, a state Health and Hospitals spokesman.
Smith said H1N1 cases have declined in the past couple of weeks, but the state continues encouraging people to get vaccinated and practice basic hygiene to keep germs from spreading.
People can get H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines at the same time unless they want the nasal spray version of both. Children should get two doses of H1N1 vaccine about a month apart but need only one dose of the seasonal flu vaccine.
State health officials have focused their H1N1 vaccination campaign on children and pregnant women, who are at a higher risk for complications from the H1N1 strain. People with chronic illnesses and front-line health care workers also were targeted to receive the vaccine early.
Besides encouraging workers to be vaccinated, hospitals are taking other precautions to limit H1N1 infection. The new procedures will continue during the traditional flu season.
LSUHSC-S inpatients with flu are asked to wear a mask anytime they're moved around the hospital. Workers at the health center's outpatient clinics also are asking people if they have flu-like symptoms. Anyone who arrives with those symptoms is moved to an exam room quickly or asked to reschedule an appointment if the visit isn't critical. "We're more intent on isolating people who have flu to prevent the spread around the hospital," Vanchiere said.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20091221/NEWS01/912210319/1060/NEWS01