January 13th, 2013 → 1:24 am @ Head Nurse
Weekly update of the current influenza activity as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/summary.htm
January 12th, 2013 → 8:35 pm @ Head Nurse
It’s already a tough economy, and now workers and companies are concerned about sick time due to the influenza outbreak. Businesses that cannot affford to lose staff to the flu are sanitizing common areas, offering work-from-home options, and offering on-site flu shot clinics. Watch now: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50426887#50426887
January 12th, 2013 → 8:07 pm @ Head Nurse
The US is experiencing its deadliest flu outbreak in a decade. Across the nation, emergency rooms are flooded with patients experiencing symptoms of the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of flu cases has more than doubled in the past month, with 47 states now experiencing widespread influenza. Read more: http://rt.com/usa/news/flu-influenza-us-epidemic-732/
January 11th, 2013 → 4:17 pm @ Head Nurse
The director of the National Institues of Health says this year’s season is a “classic” flu epidemic that is “still on the uptick.” The flu season started earlier than usual this year, and the cases that have been reported appear to be more severe. Read more: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/01/latest-flu-numbers-paint-picture-epidemic/60868/
December 29th, 2012 → 4:51 pm @ Head Nurse
“We’re probably seeing 20-25 percent more flu patients than we usually do,” Dr. Scott Greenfield, family physician at Patient First, reported. Learn more about flu conditions in Virginia: http://wtvr.com/2012/12/21/flu-surge-sweeps-virginia/
December 19th, 2012 → 10:00 pm @ Head Nurse
Santa and other people who work with children are at greater risk for coming down with the flu, said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. Learn how professional Santas and others that work with children on a daily basis can protect themselves from viruses: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/12/19/how-can-professional-santas-avoid-the-flu/
December 19th, 2012 → 5:44 pm @ Head Nurse
Influenza can spread quickly throughout the workplace, making it critical for businesses to take steps to help prevent it. On-site flu shot clinics are an ideal way to protect employees and families alike. Read more: http://www.newsday.com/columnists/jamie-herzlich/small-business-fighting-the-flu-1.4316777
December 17th, 2012 → 4:51 am @ Head Nurse
Q: I am trying hard to avoid catching a cold or the flu. I was shocked to see the barista at the coffee shop grab my cup by the edge and then press the lid on with her palm. That wouldn’t be so bad if she hadn’t just made change. I wonder how many people get sick and never associate it with their coffee cup?
A: People have strong opinions about this issue. Many readers share your concern, especially if they want to sip from the cup through the lid. Others think it is silly to worry about germs on coffee-cup lids.
It is relatively easy to transmit microbes via coffee cups. A study conducted at the University of Virginia demonstrated that half of the volunteers touching contaminated coffee-cup handles caught colds (American Journal of Epidemiology, November 1982).
Cold and flu viruses can last up to several days on surfaces such as light switches, door handles, TV remotes, pens, faucets or phones (Journal of Medical Virology, October 2007). Avoiding a cold or the flu requires washing hands and keeping them away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Getting a flu shot will also improve your chances of staying healthy.
December 17th, 2012 → 4:41 am @ Head Nurse
There are plenty of opportunities this holiday season to pick up unwanted germs, and that includes the flu virus. Flu cases are spreading fast and are exploding locally. Some doctors are worried that the increasing number of flu cases we have seen lately could mean a bad season lies ahead. Read more: http://www2.wsls.com/lifestyles/2012/dec/12/southwest-virginia-flu-cases-spreading-fast-ar-2413211/
December 13th, 2012 → 2:14 am @ Head Nurse
The 2012-2013 influenza season is underway about one month earlier than usual, the CDC announced in a press conference coinciding with the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week. Read more: http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/cdc-flu-season-earliest-in-a-decade/article/271042
