NLM Director’s Comments Transcript
Seasonal Flu Update: 01/17/2013

Greetings from the National Library of Medicine and MedlinePlus.gov

Regards to all our listeners!

I'm Rob Logan, Ph.D. senior staff National Library of Medicine for Donald Lindberg, M.D, the Director of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Here is what's new this week in MedlinePlus.

It’s a challenging seasonal flu season with recent reports suggesting cases are extensive throughout most U.S. states — with the exception of less widespread outbreaks in California, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Washington, D.C.

As I write in mid-January, some of the seasonal flu statistics from the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention’s (CDC) situational update are:

• 47 states report widespread geographic influenza activity, which is an increase from 41 states at the end of 2012.
• 24 states and New York City report high levels of influenza-like illness.

The New York Times reported the Mayor of Boston recently declared a flu-generated public health emergency because of overwhelmed medical facilities. There are reports in the Times as well as local newspapers throughout the U.S. about how some overburdened hospitals are forced to send flu patients elsewhere, or set up special flu triage shelters.

Sadly, the CDC reports 20 children have died from the flu during the current season (which started last fall). The CDC adds in the past three months there have been about 3,700 laboratory confirmed flu-associated hospitalizations. About 46 percent of the hospitalized patients are age 65 or older.

MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page explains children and seniors are among the most vulnerable groups to seasonal influenza. Other at risk groups include: pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and persons with serious, underlying medical conditions.

Although the CDC reports the proportion of patients seeing a health care provider for flu-like symptoms declined slightly in early January, in many states the aggregate numbers are extensive for this time of year.

Overall, the statistics suggest the varied dispersion of outbreaks across the U.S. during the current flu season is consistent with previous patterns. On its flu website, the CDC writes (and we quote): ‘it’s too soon to say what this means, but some regions may have peaked, while other parts of the country are still on the upswing’ (end of quote).

Incidentally, the CDC’s flu website (and its situational update section) periodically revise relevant statistics and information. A link to the CDC’s website is available within the ‘overviews’ section of MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page.

MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page also provides a link to flu.gov (within the ‘start here’ section). The latter website is recommended because an easy-to-use flu vaccine finder is accessible on its homepage. MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page explains the key to flu prevention is to get a flu shot; the flu vaccine is distributed throughout the U.S. The CDC’s vaccine finder tells you where flu shots are available locally.

MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page explains the flu is a respiratory infection caused by an array of viruses that are spread by an infected person. Flu viruses pass through the air and enter your body through your nose or mouth. MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page adds there are medications that diminish flu symptoms, such as body or muscle aches, chills, cough, fever, headache, and a sore throat, after you are infected. Some everyday flu precautions include: wash your hands regularly, and try to avoid touching your face.

A new cluster of videos within MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page shows you how to avoid the spread of flu, how to treat it, and how to care for a child with the flu. These are available in the ‘videos’ section.

MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page also contains links to the latest pertinent journal research articles, which are available in the ‘journal articles’ section. Links to related clinical trials that may be occurring in your area are available in the ‘clinical trials’ section. From the flu health topic page, you can sign up to receive email updates with links to new information as it becomes available on MedlinePlus.

To find MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page, just type ‘flu’ in the search box at the top of MedlinePlus.gov’s home page. Then, click on ‘flu (National Library of Medicine).’ MedlinePlus also contains several related health topic pages, including bird flu, common cold and H1N1 Flu (swine flu).  

Of course, we hope you and your family do not experience problems during this flu season. Considering the flu’s dispersion across the U.S. (and now in some other countries), it seems wise to be prepared -- and know where to seek useful information.

A new cluster of videos within MedlinePlus.gov’s flu health topic page shows you how to avoid the spread of flu, how to treat it, and how to care for a child with the flu. These are available in the ‘videos’ section.

Before I go, this reminder… MedlinePlus.gov is authoritative. It's free. We do not accept advertising …and is written to help you.

To find MedlinePlus.gov, just type in 'MedlinePlus.gov' in any web browser, such as Firefox, Safari, Netscape, Chrome or Explorer. To find Mobile MedlinePlus.gov, just type 'Mobile MedlinePlus' in the same web browsers.

We encourage you to use MedlinePlus and please recommend it to your friends. MedlinePlus is available in English and Spanish. Some medical information is available in 43 other languages.

Your comments about this or any of our podcasts are always welcome. We welcome suggestions about future topics too!

Please email Dr. Lindberg anytime at: NLMDirector@nlm.nih.gov

That's NLMDirector (one word) @nlm.nih.gov

A written transcript of recent podcasts is available by typing 'Director's comments' in the search box on MedlinePlus.gov's home page.

The National Library of Medicine is one of 27 institutes and centers within the National Institutes of Health. The National Institutes of Health is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A disclaimer — the information presented in this program should not replace the medical advice of your physician. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any disease without first consulting with your physician or other health care provider.

I hope you have a very happy holiday season and enjoy a healthy New Year. The National Library of Medicine and the ‘Director’s Comments’ podcast staff, including Dr. Lindberg, appreciate your interest and company — and we hope to find new ways to serve you in 2013.