Geisinger expert: Prepare now for coming flu season

Start of school could mean increased flu activity

July, 29, 2009, DANVILLE – With the H1N1 (swine flu) virus expected to spread quickly and become more severe this autumn, a Geisinger infectious disease expert said that people should take steps now to help protect themselves.

Recognizing the threat of the virus, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of H1N1 (novel influenza A) in June. Since then, health officials across the world have reported a significant number of flu cases. In Pennsylvania, there have been nearly 1,900 confirmed flu cases.

Geisinger Health System has tested nearly 2,500 respiratory specimens, and two people have required hospitalization, according to Lisa Esolen, M.D., Geisinger’s director of infection control.

“The summer is normally a very quiet time for the flu, but the H1N1 has lead to widespread flu activity here in Pennsylvania and in other parts of the country these last few months,” Dr. Esolen said. “When children return to school later this summer, we expect to see a sharp rise in the number of people with the flu.”

The goal is to prepare and develop good personal habits now, so that when flu season starts in earnest sometime this fall, the virus will not spread as easily, Dr. Esolen said.

“Geisinger has taken numerous steps to address this, including increasing use of hand sanitizers by our providers, promptly screening patients for flu symptoms upon check- in at our clinics, and dramatically expanding our patient and staff education efforts,” Dr. Esolen said. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following actions to stay healthy: 

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them if you have respiratory symptoms (cough/sore throat) and a fever of 100 degrees F.

Influenza spreads mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Similar to the regular flu, symptoms of the H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

“We have had to deal with more flu this summer than we had all of last winter,” Dr. Esolen said. “And we have to be prepared for additional problems once schools re-open.”

About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation’s largest integrated health services organizations.  Serving more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania, the physician-led organization is at the forefront of the country's rapidly emerging electronic health records movement. Geisinger is comprised of two medical center campuses, three hospitals, a 740-member group practice, a not-for-profit health insurance company and the Henry Hood Center for Health Research—dedicated to creating innovative new models for patient care, satisfaction and clinical outcomes. For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.