Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
H1N1 Virus Meeting Held
Posted: Sep 03, 2009 4:23 PM CDT
Doctors in central Virginia are releasing more information on the H1N1 virus. They have a new perspective on the impact of the flu in the area.
So far doctors and the Virginia Health Department say the commonwealth has far fewer cases of H1N1 and seasonal flu than other states, particularly in the southeast. Since students returned to the University of Virginia on August 22 doctors at the medical center say they've confirmed 26 cases of swine flu. None of those patients have been hospitalized. R.E. Lee High School in Staunton has two confirmed cases.
The Albemarle - Charlottesville Health Department is closely tracking cases of the flu in the area. Dr. Lilian Peake of the Charlottesville Albemarle Health Department said, "We actually track it on a daily basis. We do look at the percent of people that report to an emergency department that have influenza-like illness and that's collected throughout the state of Virginia."
Doctors are saying the best line of defense against the illness is a vaccine. Doctors say the seasonal flu vaccine will be available within the next two weeks, and people should contact their private physician about the shot, and get it early.
Dr. Michael Ashby of Martha Jefferson Hospital said, "If everyone who gets influenza seeks care in a hospital or an emergency department then the volume could be so high that people would have to wait long periods to be seen."
The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in October. It will be given in 2 separate doses, but so far the Center for Disease Control is saying that there will be enough to go around.
Doctors offices say they aren't overwhelmed with the calls about the flu, but most people that call want to know when they can get a vaccine.
As always doctors are asking people to be extra cautious on their own, such as sneezing into their sleeve, rather than their hands to stop the spread of germs.
http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=11043281
Posted: Sep 03, 2009 4:23 PM CDT
Doctors in central Virginia are releasing more information on the H1N1 virus. They have a new perspective on the impact of the flu in the area.
So far doctors and the Virginia Health Department say the commonwealth has far fewer cases of H1N1 and seasonal flu than other states, particularly in the southeast. Since students returned to the University of Virginia on August 22 doctors at the medical center say they've confirmed 26 cases of swine flu. None of those patients have been hospitalized. R.E. Lee High School in Staunton has two confirmed cases.
The Albemarle - Charlottesville Health Department is closely tracking cases of the flu in the area. Dr. Lilian Peake of the Charlottesville Albemarle Health Department said, "We actually track it on a daily basis. We do look at the percent of people that report to an emergency department that have influenza-like illness and that's collected throughout the state of Virginia."
Doctors are saying the best line of defense against the illness is a vaccine. Doctors say the seasonal flu vaccine will be available within the next two weeks, and people should contact their private physician about the shot, and get it early.
Dr. Michael Ashby of Martha Jefferson Hospital said, "If everyone who gets influenza seeks care in a hospital or an emergency department then the volume could be so high that people would have to wait long periods to be seen."
The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in October. It will be given in 2 separate doses, but so far the Center for Disease Control is saying that there will be enough to go around.
Doctors offices say they aren't overwhelmed with the calls about the flu, but most people that call want to know when they can get a vaccine.
As always doctors are asking people to be extra cautious on their own, such as sneezing into their sleeve, rather than their hands to stop the spread of germs.
http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=11043281