THURSDAY, Oct. 28 (HealthDay News) — The H1N1 flu pandemic was associated with a sharp rise in the number of children with a serious bacterial infection called empyema, a new study shows.

Empyema, an infection in the pleural tissues surrounding the lungs, frequently requires a chest tube or surgery to drain infected fluid from the chest. Empyema most often occurs as a complication of pneumonia.

Researchers studied data on children diagnosed with empyema at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City from 2004 to 2009, and found a large increase in the number of cases from May to June 2009.

Twenty-one cases of empyema were diagnosed in those months, nearly double the average of 10.8 cases during the same time of year from 2004 to 2008. The number of cases peaked in June 2009, when doctors diagnosed 12 cases, compared with an average of 3.5 cases in June of other years.

The increase in empyema cases in the spring and summer of 2009 coincided with a severe outbreak of H1N1 flu in Utah, when 604 children were diagnosed with swine flu and 117 of them were hospitalized.

All the children diagnosed with empyema from May to June 2009 had a flu-like illness before diagnosis and most of those with confirmed influenza were infected with H1N1, the researchers found.

The study appears in the October issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

The findings highlight the need to keep children up to date with recommended influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and the importance of prompt antiviral drug treatment for patients with influenza signs and
symptoms, said study leader Dr. Krow Ampofo, of the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, and colleagues.

More information

The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia has more about empyema.

Originally reported by National Public Radio. Read the original story here.

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Seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine are combined to protect this season

SPRINGFIELD – In observance of September as Healthy Aging Month, Illinois Department on Aging Director Charles D. Johnson reminds seniors to prepare for the upcoming flu season by getting their flu shot.

Seniors are at increased risk for the flu especially those who have certain chronic health conditions.

“It’s important older adults get a flu shot to protect themselves,” said Director Johnson.  “Getting a flu shot this month can provide protection for the entire flu season, which usually starts in the fall and runs through spring.”

Good news this year is that only one flu vaccine is needed.  The H1N1 strain has been rolled into the seasonal flu vaccine, so seniors as well as everyone else only need to get the one flu vaccine.  Seniors are at higher risk for flu like complications so they should make getting a flu vaccine a priority.  Seniors should also talk with their health care provider about getting a pneumococcal vaccine.

Public Health officials say it’s not too early to get a vaccine.  The flu vaccine has started to arrive in Illinois, and will be available at local health departments across the state, as well as some doctor’s offices, health clinics, hospitals and pharmacies. The cost of vaccine may vary, but is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and by some insurance companies.

The flu, formally called influenza, is spread through coughing or sneezing.  In addition to getting a flu shot, people are also encouraged to use good sanitary measures, such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing, washing hands and staying away from others when sick.

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, visit www.state.il.us/aging or call the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 1-888-206-1327.

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Recognizing National Influenza Vaccination Week, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold today was joined by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and other public health officials to encourage Illinois residents to get their H1N1 vaccination.

“The H1N1 flu continues to circulate throughout the state.  Last week, 67 additional hospitalizations and three deaths related to H1N1 flu were reported in Illinois.

The amount of illness we are seeing is decreasing, but we are still seeing hospitalizations and deaths related to the H1N1 virus,” said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health Director.

“Illinoisans need to avoid becoming complacent.  The time to get vaccinated for H1N1 is now.”

Federal, state, and local public health officials came together today to observe National Influenza Vaccination Week and remind Illinoisans of the importance of being vaccinated for the H1N1 flu virus.

After seven consecutive weeks of decreasing influenza-like-illness in outpatients statewide, Illinois saw a slight increase in influenza-like-illness last week.

Although the likelihood of a future wave of the H1N1 flu cannot be predicted, health officials know that vaccination is the most important step in protecting against influenza.

“National Influenza Vaccination Week is an important opportunity to recognize that H1N1 flu is a serious disease, and while many cases are mild, some can be deadly.  There are still a lot of lives to be saved by getting ourselves and our families vaccinated,” said Cristal Thomas, MPP, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region V.

Since the H1N1 flu virus began to circulate in April, there have been 2,696 lab-confirmed hospitalizations and 86 deaths related to the H1N1 flu virus in Illinois.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between mid-April and Nov. 14, 2009, 47 million people in the United States were infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu, more than 200,000 people were hospitalized, and over 9,800 people died.

There is now a very good supply of the H1N1 vaccine available to all Illinois residents who want to be vaccinated.  H1N1 vaccine is now available to Illinois residents through local health departments, private physicians, and retail pharmacies.

For a list of the nearest public vaccination sites in IL and to learn more about the H1N1 flu, visit ready.illinois.gov or flu.gov.

Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically between $12 and $22.  This fee is covered by most health insurance.  People should bring their health insurance information with them to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Anyone may also receive an H1N1 influenza vaccination free of charge at all local health departments in Illinois.

For questions about the H1N1 flu, call the Illinois Flu Hotline at 866- 848-2094 – translators are available.

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FLU*Ease stations, complete with privacy screens, are set up beyond passenger security screening in Terminals 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).

Stations will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, with registered nurses administering shots to interested travelers for a $30 fee.

The program will continue throughout the flu season.

“This initiative is a convenient resource for travelers and part of LAX’s contribution to helping contain the spread of flu and protect the public’s safety during this flu season,” said Debbie Bowers, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) deputy executive director for commercial development.

“Travelers have the convenience of getting a flu shot without having to go to a health center or a doctor’s office.”

FLU*Ease, Inc., a physician-supervised medical organization based in Chicago, Illinois, provides immunization services to companies and organizations nationwide.  LAWA awarded FLU*Ease the contract to administer flu shots in the terminals.

More information about FLU*Ease is available at fluease.net/Default.aspx.

Independent of the FLU*Ease program, Reliant Immediate Care also offers H1N1 flu shots and other travel immunizations at Reliant Medical Center at 9601 South Sepulveda Boulevard (blue building next to the LAX Airport Police station).

The H1N1 flu shot costs $24.

Reliant Medical Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides transportation to/from airline terminals to their medical center.

More information is available at http://www.reliantmedicalcenter.com/index.html or by calling (310) 215-6020.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a Los Angeles City department that owns and operates two other Southern California airports:  LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation.

LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world, offering more than 565 daily flights to 81 destinations in the U.S. and over 1,000 weekly non-stop flights to 65 international destinations.

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Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold today announced that beginning Tuesday, Dec. 15, all Illinoisans will be eligible to receive an H1N1 flu vaccination.

In addition to local health departments and private physicians, Illinoisans will be able to go to many retail pharmacies for H1N1 flu vaccinations starting no later than Dec. 21, 2009.

“For the past two months, local health departments, hospitals and physicians have worked diligently to reach those considered most at-risk for serious H1N1 flu illness by holding walk-in, drive-up, school-based and appointment-only clinics,” Dr. Arnold said.

“With more vaccine arriving each week, we are now encouraging providers to begin offering H1N1 vaccine on December 15 to all Illinoisans who have not yet been vaccinated.”

From now until Dec. 15, providers who received H1N1 vaccine will continue to focus vaccination efforts exclusively on serving the needs of the priority population groups:

• health care and emergency medical service workers who provide direct patient care;
• pregnant women;
• people who live with or care for children less than six months of age;
• all people 6 months to 24 years;
• and people 25 to 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions.

Beginning Dec. 15, these individuals will continue to be eligible for vaccination, along with all other Illinoisans who are not in the risk groups.

Local providers will have flexibility to determine if it is necessary to continue prioritizing the vaccine for the at-risk populations, based on the needs in their local area.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) evaluated several factors before making the decision to lift restrictions on vaccine eligibility, including prior vaccine distribution, feedback from local health departments and discussions with other state and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health officials.

Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically between $12 and $22.  This fee is covered by most health insurance.

People should bring their health insurance information with them to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Those without health insurance can receive an H1N1 flu vaccination free of charge at all local health departments in Illinois.

For a list of public H1N1 vaccination sites and clinic times, as well as additional information on the 2009 H1N1 flu, log onto ready.illinois.gov.

For  questions about the H1N1 flu, call the Illinois Flu Hotline at 866-848-2094 – translators are available.

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Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is alerting Illinoisans to a nationwide H1N1 phishing e-mail scam.

The fraudulent e-mails (phishing) claim to be from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and reference a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program.

The messages request that users must create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the CDC Web site.

The message then states that anyone 18 years or older has to create a personal Vaccination Profile on the CDC Web site.

The Illinois Department of Public Health encourages anyone who receives these e-mails to delete them immediately as the CDC has NOT implemented a state vaccination program requiring registration on cdc.gov.

Users that click on the e-mail are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system.

People should take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of this or other phishing attacks:

• Do not follow unsolicited links and do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.
• Use caution when visiting un-trusted Web sites.
• Use caution when entering personal information online.

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While H1N1 infection has been mild for the majority of children affected, there have been serious complications and many deaths – the CDC reports over 17,000 children have been hospitalized for H1N1 infection and approximately 540 have died from it (cdc.gov/h1n1flu/estimates_2009_h1n1.htm#Numbers).

Despite these statistics, most Americans are unlikely to vaccinate their children for H1N1.

One major reason that parents are not vaccinating their children is that they are afraid that the H1N1 vaccine is not safe.

While several studies show there is no relationship between the modern vaccine and increased risk for autism or Guillain-Barre syndrome, studies do not appear to be convincing the average American.

Parents, instead, want to know if physicians trust the H1N1 vaccine enough to inoculate their own children. Physicians who are also parents were surveyed by MomMD.com.

The results, summarized at mommd.com/h1n1-vaccinations.shtml, show that physicians overwhelmingly trust the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Eight-five percent (85%) of respondents either already had or are planning to vaccinate their own children for H1N1.

While most physicians intend to vaccinate their children, few think there is a high likelihood that their children will get seriously ill from H1N1.

Dr. Jennifer Fleming, a Chicago emergency room attending physician and mother of two, had this to say: “Do I think my kids are going to die from H1N1? No. But I will vaccinate them if it’s not too inconvenient. I’m already on the wait list at my pediatrician’s office, so I’ll come in if they call us.”

For additional information on this issue, contact Kate Hannigan or visit MomMD.com.

About MomMD.com: MomMD.com is an online community for medical professionals and parents.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kate Hannigan, 773-454-2030
admin@mommd.com

Survey Finds Chicago-Area Physicians More Likely to Vaccinate Their Own Children for H1N1 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is partnering with the Illinois Poison Center to staff the hotline with health care professionals.

“As H1N1 influenza continues to circulate in Illinois, we know people have many questions, especially when it comes to seeking medical treatment,” said Dr. Arnold.

“Through our partnership with the Illinois Poison Center, trained medical staff can help callers determine when to see a doctor, if emergency treatment is needed, how to care for sick family members and when it’s advisable to return to work or school.

The more information people have about H1N1 influenza, the better able we are to reduce illness.”

Having medical professional staff answer H1N1 influenza questions will help reduce the number of calls to local health departments, hospitals and health providers and allow doctors and nurses more time to vaccinate individuals and take care of patients.

“Poison centers are open 24/7, staffed with medical experts such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists who are ready to serve the health care needs of individuals seeking assistance,” said Dr. Michael Wahl, Medical Director of the Illinois Poison Center.

“It’s a natural fit for the IPC and our existing infrastructure to be part of the first response to answer calls from concerned Illinoisans seeking information during the H1N1 flu outbreak.”

The number for the Illinois Flu Hotline is 866-848-2094 for English and 866-241-2138 for Spanish.

Additional H1N1 influenza information can also be found at ready.illinois.gov and flu.gov.

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With the 2009 H1N1 flu still circulating widely in Illinois and most of the country, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is urging people to remember four things when traveling during the holiday season:

• Travel only when feeling well
• Wash hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve
• Get flu vaccinations as soon as available (both seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu for priority groups)

“As we enter the holiday season, we know the H1N1 flu is a concern for many people, especially those traveling. Taking some basic preventive measures, including staying home if your sick, washing your hands often, covering your cough and sneeze, and getting vaccinated when possible, can greatly reduce your chances of becoming ill,” Dr. Arnold said.

“Don’t let the flu ruin your holidays.”

The flu is spread mainly through person-to-person contact when an infected person does not properly cover a cough or sneeze.

Holiday travel and gatherings increase the opportunity for person-to-persona contact, making it an ideal way for illness to spread.

For more information about 2009 H1N1 flu and information on vaccine sites in your area, log onto ready.illinois.gov.

Or, for non-medical questions about the H1N1 virus, call the Illinois Flu Hotline at 866-848-2094 or 866-241-2138 (Spanish).

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To help patients and physicians better communicate and improve care coordination, the American Medical Association (AMA) today unveils AMAfluhelp.org, the nation’s first comprehensive Web-based patient flu health-assessment program.

It walks patients through a series of questions to determine the severity of their flu symptoms based upon the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Patients can choose to share their information with their physician, as well as family members and loved ones.

AMAfluhelp.org also provides a set of online tools to help physicians monitor their patients’ symptoms, facilitate care and treatment decisions, and efficiently manage their practices’ patient flow.

“With both seasonal flu and H1N1 circulating this year, physician offices are already busier than normal,” said AMA Board Member Mary Anne McCaffree, MD.

“This resource allows patients to assess their symptoms and determine when to seek care for themselves or their loved ones. To prevent the spread of influenza, this site also helps determine when it is safe for those who have been sick to return to work or school.”

AMAfluhelp.org can help patients assess their own flu symptoms, or those of a child or loved one, and offer guidance on whether they should seek care. There is also a choice for pregnant women to evaluate their need for a flu vaccination and for all patients to monitor any post-vaccine related symptoms. AMAfluhelp.org can also generate a doctor’s note when it is safe to return to work or school.

“Our practice can’t wait to see this great resource in action and have it at our disposal,” said James Campbell, MD, Denver West Pediatrics.

“I have already admitted two H1N1 patients to the hospital and call volumes are reaching all time highs. I explained AMAfluhelp.org to our team and we are ready to get it up and running for our team and for our patients as soon as possible.”

AMAfluhelp.org is the first application on a new AMA portal powered by HealthyCircles that supports quality of care initiatives designed to link patients, physicians and other caregivers together.

As the AMA portal develops, the AMA will offer a number of applications in an environment that supports patient/physician communication, minimizes redundant testing and allows for continuous monitoring of patients with complex health conditions.

The AMA is collaborating with HealthyCircles to offer these health sessions built upon its expertise in health care policy, quality, patient safety, science and public health. Personal information entered into the system is private and secured through Microsoft HealthVault®. No personal data can be accessed without consent from the user.

The AMA has collaborated with a broad-based coalition called under the Flu Information & Care System (FiCS) to promote the new Web site and subsequent others. Coalition members include: AllOne Health, BlueCross NEPA, CVS Caremark, EMSC, HealthyCircles, HERAE, Merck, MedImpact, Microsoft, Minute Clinic, Schumacher Group, Staywell/Krames, Team Health and WorldDoc.

“The mission of HealthyCircles is to bring health care into the internet age by providing new web-based portals and tools for health care professionals, patients and their family caregivers to easily connect to each other and deliver or receive a new level of quality care” said James Mault, MD, FACS, chairman and CEO of HealthyCircles.

“Our work with the AMA and the FiCS Coalition marks the official launch of the HealthyCircles Platform providing this first of its kind connected care solution set.”

“We are hopeful that this new AMA tool will help reduce demands on our health care system,” said Chris Lindley, director of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “We will continue to support and share resources within Colorado which give our citizens the information they seek to make the appropriate health decisions from themselves and their loved ones, as it relates to flu.”

While AMAfluhelp.org is a useful tool for those who aren’t sure whether they have a cold or the flu, it does not take the place of a visit to the doctor’s office if symptoms are severe.

Anyone who exhibits severe symptoms, such as a very high fever or difficulty breathing should contact their physician immediately or seek urgent care.

AMAfluhelp.org is a free resource for patients and physicians, but physicians may charge their patients a fee to provide online health monitoring services.

Visit and sign up at AMAfluhelp.org today.

Follow AMAfluhelp.org updates on Twitter and Facebook.

More AMA information on H1N1 can be found at AMAH1N1info.org.

About HealthyCircles

HealthyCircles aims to provide an interoperable platform for health care providers across the country to utilize in monitoring and providing care to patients. Similarly, the platform seeks to provide the necessary tools for patients and consumers to take responsibility for their health and be able to manage it.

Overall, HealthyCircles strives to create a health platform that centralizes health information and improves the efficiency and effectiveness of health care in the United States.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Leah Dudowicz, 312-464-4813
American Medical Association
leah.dudowicz@ama-assn.org

Tammy Stratton, 303-320-7790
The Bawmann Group
tammy@morethanpr.com

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Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, CIGNA, Health Alliance, Humana, PersonalCare, Unicare, and UnitedHealthcare will cover the cost of administration for the H1N1 vaccine for all of their policyholders.

The cost of the vaccine itself, now available at local health departments and hospitals in Illinois, is being paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“As parents of young children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable Illinoisans take steps to protect against the spread of the H1N1 virus, it is important for consumers to know whether the H1N1 vaccine is a covered health insurance benefit,” said Michael T. McRaith, Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance.  “We applaud these Illinois insurers for taking voluntary, proactive measures to reduce financial barriers to accessing the H1N1 vaccine.”

Many smaller insurance companies will also cover the administration costs of the H1N1 vaccine for all or most of their policyholders.  The Department advises all consumers to contact their insurance company, insurance agent, or employer to inquire about the details and limits of coverage for the H1N1 vaccine.

Consumers in need of information or assistance can also call the Department’s Office of Consumer Health Insurance toll-free at (877) 527-9431.

The Department offers additional advice for consumers to keep in mind as they prepare for the flu season:

Review Your Insurance Policy

It is always important to understand your health insurance policy, but with the potential for an increased demand for health care services, you need to be even more aware of your specific plan details.

Take a few minutes to read your policy carefully in order to answer the following questions:

• Do you have a cost-sharing responsibility for the vaccinations?
• Many health insurance policies have co-payments for yearly flu vaccinations. Ask your insurance company if you will have a co-pay for the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine and what the cost will be.
• Will your policy cover administration of the H1N1 vaccine regardless of where you receive the vaccine?
• Some health insurance companies may cover the administration cost of the vaccine only if it is delivered by a network provider.
• If an office visit is required to obtain the vaccinations, does it require a separate co-payment?
• Does your policy require a pre-authorization for hospital admission or other services?
• What is your co-payment for the most common H1N1 treatments?
• The two drugs doctors can prescribe to treat H1N1 flu are Tamiflu and Relenza. In addition, you should know of any limitations on the number of doses covered by your policy – per prescription or per year.
• Does your policy cover over-the-counter medications?
• Is your coverage accepted at walk-in care facilities?
• If your area is heavily affected by the spread of the H1N1 flu outbreak, your regular physician might not be able to see you in a timely manner.
• What is your out-of-network co-payment?
• If you must go to an out-of-network provider, be aware you will likely pay a higher co-payment for your office visit and any tests run during the visit.

Plan Ahead

Be prepared for any eventuality with the following checklist:

• Have your health insurance ID card readily available.
• Review your health insurance policy provisions. Know which doctors and hospitals are in your network.
• Make note of your co-payments. Know how much a doctor’s office visit will cost. Check to see if your co-payments go up if you go out-of-network.
• Keep handy a list of pharmacies and medications covered by your health insurance policy.
• If you have plans to travel, make sure you check to see if there are any doctors or medical facilities in-network where you will be visiting.
• Make sure you have contact details for your health insurance company available in case you have questions.

Take Appropriate Preventive Measures

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) lists public H1N1 vaccination sites, clinic times, and additional information on the 2009 H1N1 flu at ready.illinois.gov.

For non-medical questions about the H1N1 virus, call the Illinois Flu Hotline at (866) 848-2094 or (866) 241-2138 (Spanish).

The Department’s mission is to protect consumers by providing assistance and information, by efficiently regulating the insurance industry’s market behavior and financial solvency, and by fostering a competitive insurance marketplace.

The Department assists consumers with all insurance complaints, including life, health, auto and homeowners.

Consumers in need of information or assistance should visit the Department’s Web site at insurance.illinois.gov or call our Office of Consumer Health Insurance at (877) 527-9431.

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However, manufacturers continue to produce the vaccine as quickly as possible and supplies are expected to increase throughout November and December.

“Illinois will continue to receive additional shipments of the H1N1 vaccine so there will be enough vaccine for everyone,” Dr. Arnold said.

“Certain people are at higher risk of complications due to the 2009 H1N1 flu and others work with populations at risk of complications, so we ask you to consider allowing these people to receive their H1N1 flu vaccination first.  Again, additional doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be delivered to providers over the coming weeks and months so there will be enough vaccine to go around.  In the meantime, we ask that you be patient and take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy – follow the 3 Cs: Clean, Cover and Contain.”

The H1N1 vaccine is being delivered directly to local health departments and hospitals across Illinois, outside Chicago (Chicago receives its own supply), to begin vaccinating the following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designated priority populations:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six-months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from six-months through 24-years of age
• Persons aged 25-64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Children younger than 10-years should receive two doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. This is slightly different from CDC’s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination, which state that children younger than nine who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses.

Infants younger than six months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

“We encourage people to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves and their families when it becomes available, even if that means waiting until later in the season,” said Dr. Arnold. “Since we expect to see the H1N1 virus continue to circulate throughout the winter and into next spring, it won’t be too late to get the H1N1 vaccine in the coming months.”

Both the nasal spray and injectable form of the vaccine are available.  For a list of public H1N1 vaccination sites and clinic times, as well as additional information on the 2009 H1N1 flu, log onto ready.illinois.gov.

For non-medical questions about the H1N1 virus, call the Illinois Flu Hotline at (866) 848-2094 or (866) 241-2138 (Spanish).

To stay healthy and limit the spread of flu, follow the 3 Cs:

• CLEAN – wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
• COVER – your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.
• CONTAIN – contain your germs.  Stay home if you are sick.

State Public Health Director Urges People to be Patient, Limited Supply of H1N1 Vaccine is Coming | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

This gubernatorial proclamation allows the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to permit additional certified and licensed health care professionals to administer the H1N1 vaccine.

“Safety and public health are of the utmost importance,” Governor Quinn said. “While this proclamation does not indicate an increase in the spread or severity of flu in Illinois, it allows us to vaccinate a larger number of people in a short period of time.”

During this emergency period, the following health care professionals will be able to administer the new H1N1 vaccine:

• Emergency Medical Technicians (intermediate and paramedic levels are able to vaccinate)
• Pharmacists (can administer to persons 9-years old or older)
• Dentists
• Advanced practice, registered and licensed nurses
• Medical residents
• Physician assistants
• Properly trained and supervised pharmacy, nursing and third or fourth year medical students

“Typically 10-20 percent of the population is infected with the seasonal flu annually. The absentee rates could more than double when adding the seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu strains together,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold. “To ensure there will be enough people qualified to administer an H1N1 flu shot, we have modified the scopes of practice for several medical professionals.”

The new H1N1 vaccine continues to be delivered to providers in Illinois, which include local health departments, hospitals, physician offices, and pharmacies.

The U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designated five priority populations that should receive the new H1N1 vaccine first:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six-months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from six-months through 24-years of age
• Persons aged 25-64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

To find where and when the new H1N1 vaccine will be available in your community, contact your local health department or log onto Ready.Illinois.gov.

To stay healthy and limit the spread of flu, remember the 3 Cs:

• CLEAN – wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
• COVER – your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.
• CONTAIN – contain your germs. Stay home if you are sick.

Health Proclamation Issued to Assist New H1N1 Flu Immunization Efforts; More Licensed Medical Professionals Able to Give H1N1 Flu Shot | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

In response, Microsoft Corp. today announced a new Web site, H1N1 Response Center (h1n1responsecenter.com), which provides users with timely and relevant content and enables consumers to gauge symptoms and receive guidance using an H1N1 self-assessment service.

“If current estimates are correct, many emergency departments across the nation could be overwhelmed by two groups of patients — those who have H1N1 and those who believe they have H1N1,” said Angela Gardner, M.D., FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

“It is going to be essential that we use every tool and service at our disposal to contain this illness, and online H1N1 self-assessment tools, such as the one offered by Microsoft, can be helpful in providing people with ways to determine whether they should seek emergency care.”

Designed to help people decide what to do if they are worried that they or someone they know might have H1N1, the site offers consumers a self-assessment licensed from medical and public health experts at Emory University.

The service assists people in deciding whether their symptoms could be caused by the H1N1 flu virus and provides guidance on what they can do next.

“It is already clear that certain people are more vulnerable to the effects of H1N1 flu virus than others,” said Dr. Arthur Kellermann, professor of emergency medicine and an associate dean of the Emory School of Medicine.

“By providing an at-home tool that can help users evaluate whether they need to see a provider before they head to the hospital, we can encourage those who are severely ill or at risk for serious illness to contact their doctor, and reassure everyone else that it is safe and prudent to recover at home. This will reduce the number of people needlessly exposed to H1N1 influenza in crowded clinic and ER waiting rooms, and allow doctors and nurses to focus their attention on those who need them most.”

If a person decides to see a provider after taking the assessment, a prepare-for-visit tool allows him or her to compile an organized health history for providers by combining the self-assessment answers with health information stored in the user’s account in Microsoft HealthVault, a personal health application platform designed to put consumers in control of their health information.

The connected nature of the HealthVault ecosystem enables individuals to act on their assessment through partners such as TelaDoc, which offers telephonic visits, and American Well, which connects individuals to their health plan physicians for video, chat or telephone consultations.

“Any pandemic has the potential to create major disruptions in society,” said David Cerino, general manager, Microsoft Health Solutions Group. “Now more than ever, we are in a position to implement solutions to help people make better decisions during these outbreaks, such as social distancing, because of the technological advancements that companies like Microsoft have made over the past few years.”

The self-assessment licensed from Emory University is based on a “Strategy for Off-site Rapid Triage,” or SORT. SORT reflects current public health and clinical science, vetted by a national network of experts from public health, clinical medicine, health education and infectious disease.

It is grounded in a clinical strategy endorsed by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the leading organization for emergency medicine in the U.S.

About Microsoft in Health

Microsoft is committed to improving health around the world through software innovation. Over the past 12 years, Microsoft has steadily increased its investments in health, with a focus on addressing the challenges of health providers, health and social services organizations, payers, consumers and life sciences companies worldwide.

Microsoft closely collaborates with a broad ecosystem of partners and develops its own powerful health solutions, such as Amalga and HealthVault.

Together, Microsoft and its industry partners are working to advance a vision of unifying health information and making it more readily available, ensuring the best quality of life and affordable care for everyone.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed.

For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rapid Response Team, 503-443-7070
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

Microsoft Launches Online H1N1 Flu Response Center to Support Consumers, Provide Resources to Aid Assessment | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Dr Damon T. Arnold, Dyrektor Departamentu Zdrowia Publicznego Stanu Illinois ogłosił dziś, że pierwsze partie nowej szczepionki przeciwko grypie H1N1 spodziewane są w Illinois dziś i jutro.

Amerykański Ośrodek Kontroli i Zapobiegania Chorobom (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, w skrócie CDC) przyznał stanowi Illinois – z wyłączeniem miasta Chicago – 57 000 tysięcy dawek nowej szczepionki przeciwko grypie H1N1 w postaci sprayu do nosa. Chicago otrzyma własny przydział nowej szczepionki H1N1.

Nowa szczepionka przeciwko H1N1 zostanie dostarczona bezpośrednio od producentów szczepionki do lokalnych departamentów zdrowia i szpitali w stanie Illinois (poza Chicago), aby rozpocząć szczepienie ludności zgodnie z priorytetami określonymi przez CDC:

• Kobiety w ciąży
• Domownicy oraz opiekunowie dzieci poniżej 6. miesiąca życia.
• Personel służby zdrowia i medycznych służb ratowniczych
• Osoby w wieku od 6 miesięcy do 24 lat
• Osoby w wieku od 25 do 64 lat cierpiące na choroby wiążące się z wyższym ryzykiem powikłań pogrypowych.

- Stan Illinois otrzyma kolejne partie nowej szczepionki przeciwko H1N1, więc szczepionki wystarczy dla wszystkich – powiedział dr Arnold.

- Niektórzy ludzie są narażeni na większe ryzyko komplikacji związanych z nowym wirusem grypy H1N1, inni pracują z osobami zagrożonymi powikłaniami, dlatego prosimy, aby umożliwić tym osobom otrzymanie nowej szczepionki przeciwko grypie H1N1 w pierwszej kolejności.

Jeszcze raz powtarzam, że dodatkowe dawki nowej szczepionki przeciwko H1N1 będą niemal codziennie dowożone do dostawców usług medycznych w stanie Illinois, więc szczepionki wystarczy dla wszystkich.

W międzyczasie zachęcamy do zaszczepienia się przeciwko grypie sezonowej oraz codziennego przestrzegania 3 zasad profilaktyki: mycie, zasłanianie i ograniczanie – dla zachowania zdrowia.

Pierwsza partia nowej szczepionki przeciwko H1N1 ma postać sprayu do nosa i jest przeznaczona wyłącznie dla osób od 2 do 49 roku życia, z wykluczeniem osób z problemami zdrowotnymi, w tym kobiet w ciąży.

CDC ogłosiło, że dostawy szczepionek w formie zastrzyków zatwierdzonych dla całej ludności poza osobami z przeciwwskazaniami rozpoczną się w przyszłym tygodniu.

Oczekuje się, że pierwsze partie nowej szczepionki przeciwko H1N1 będą przeznaczone dla pracowników służby zdrowia, osób z grupy priorytetowej CDC, a kolejne partie dotrą do lokalnych departamentów zdrowia, szpitali i wyznaczonych dostawców usług na terenie stanu Illinois w najbliższych tygodniach i miesiącach.

Departament Zdrowia Publicznego Stanu Illinois zbiera aktualnie umowy z dostawcami usług, aby sporządzić pełną listę ośrodków, w których będzie można otrzymać nową szczepionkę przeciwko H1N1.

Aby pozostać zdrowym i powstrzymać rozprzestrzenianie się grypy, pamiętaj o 3 zasadach:

• MYCIE – częste mycie rąk zapobiega rozprzestrzenianiu się zarazków.
• OSŁANIANIE – ust podczas kaszlu i kichania chusteczką lub rękawem (a nie ręką).
• OGRANICZANIE – rozprzestrzeniania się zarazków. W przypadku choroby należy pozostać w domu.

Więcej informacji można uzyskać na stronie ready.illinois.gov.

Pierwsza Partia Nowej Szczepionki Przeciwko H1N1 Spodziewana w Tym Tygodniu – Kolejne Partie Wkrótce | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

El doctor Damon T. Arnold, Director del Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois, anunció hoy que se espera que el primer envío de la nueva vacuna de gripe H1N1 llegue a Illinois hoy y mañana.

Los centros estadounidenses para el Control y Prevención de las Enfermedades (CDC) asignaron 57,000 dosis de la nueva vacuna H1N1 contra la influenza, solamente en forma de spray nasal, al Estado de Illinois, excluyendo la Ciudad de Chicago.

Chicago recibe su propia asignación de la nueva vacuna H1N1.

La nueva vacuna H1N1 será entregada directamente de los fabricantes de la vacuna a los departamentos de salud y hospitales locales de Illinois, fuera de Chicago, para comenzar a vacunar a las siguientes poblaciones que el CDC designó como prioridad:

• Mujeres embarazadas
• Contactos familiares y personas que cuidan a niños menores de seis meses de edad
• Personal de atención médica y servicios médicos de urgencia
• Todas las personas de seis meses hasta 24 años de edad
• Las personas de 25 a 64 años de edad que tengan padecimientos de salud asociados con riesgos más altos de complicaciones médicas derivadas de la influenza.

“Illinois seguirá recibiendo envíos adicionales de la nueva vacuna H1N1, de modo que habrá suficientes vacunas para todos”, dijo el doctor Arnold.

“Hay ciertas personas que tienen mayor riesgo de complicaciones debido a la nueva gripe H1N1 y otras que trabajan con poblaciones con riesgo de complicaciones, por lo tanto, les pedimos que permitan que estas personas reciban primero su nueva vacuna H1N1 contra la influenza.

Reitero, dosis adicionales de la nueva vacuna H1N1 serán entregadas a los proveedores de Illinois casi diariamente, de modo que habrá suficientes vacunas por ahí.

Mientras tanto, consigan la vacuna contra la gripe estacional y tomen las siguientes medidas preventivas diarias: Manténganse limpios, cúbranse al toser o estornudar, y no dejen salir sus gérmenes de casa – para permanecer sanos”.

El envío inicial de la nueva vacuna H1N1 viene en forma de spray nasal y éste sólo está autorizado para personas de dos a 49 años de edad sin padecimientos médicos subyacentes, incluyendo embarazo.

El CDC ha dicho que las vacunas inyectables, aprobadas para todas las poblaciones excepto aquellas con contraindicaciones, comenzarán a ser enviadas la próxima semana.

Se espera que este primer envío de la nueva vacuna H1N1 sea ofrecido a los trabajadores de atención médica, una población de prioridad del CDC, y los envíos subsecuentes de la vacuna serán entregados en las próximas semanas y meses a los departamentos de salud, hospitales y proveedores locales designados en todo el estado de Illinois.

El Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois recibe actualmente acuerdos de proveedores para recopilar una lista completa de instituciones donde el público pueda recibir la nueva vacuna H1N1.

Para permanecer sano y limitar la propagación de la gripe, recuerden las medidas preventivas:

• LIMPIEZA – lavarse las manos con frecuencia para prevenir la propagación de gérmenes.
• CUBRIRSE – toser y estornudar cubriéndose con un pañuelo o una manga, no con la mano.
• CONTENERSE – contenerse de propagar sus gérmenes. Quédense en casa si están enfermos.

Para obtener más información, consulte ready.illinois.gov.

Esta Semana se Espera el Primer Envío de Nuevas Vacunas H1N1; Vendrán Más | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allotted 57,000 doses of the new H1N1 flu vaccine, in nasal spray form only, to the State of Illinois, excluding the City of Chicago.

Chicago receives its own allotment of the new H1N1 vaccine.

The new H1N1 vaccine will be delivered directly from vaccine manufacturers to local health departments and hospitals across Illinois, outside Chicago, to begin vaccinating the following CDC designated priority populations:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six-months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from six-months through 24-years of age
• Persons aged 25-64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

“Illinois will continue to receive additional shipments of the new H1N1 vaccine so there will be enough vaccine for everyone,” Dr. Arnold said.  “Certain people are at higher risk of complications due to the new H1N1 flu and others work with populations at risk of complications, so we ask you to allow these people to receive their new H1N1 flu vaccine first.  Again, additional doses of the new H1N1 vaccine will be delivered to providers in Illinois almost daily so there will be enough vaccine to go around.  In the meantime, get a seasonal flu shot and take everyday preventive actions – 3 Cs: Clean, Cover and Contain – to stay healthy.”

The initial shipment of new H1N1 vaccine is in nasal spray form and is only licensed for people age two through 49-years without underlying medical conditions, including pregnancy.

The CDC has said injectable vaccines, approved for all populations except those with contraindications, will begin being shipped next week.

It is anticipated that these first shipments of the new H1N1 vaccine will be offered to health care workers, a CDC priority population, and subsequent shipments of the vaccine will be delivered in the next weeks and months to local health departments, hospitals and designated providers across Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is currently receiving provider agreements to compile a complete list of locations where the public can receive a new H1N1 vaccination.

To stay healthy and limit the spread of flu, remember the 3 Cs:

• CLEAN – wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
• COVER – your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.
• CONTAIN – contain your germs.  Stay home if you are sick.

For more information log onto ready.illinois.gov.

First Shipment of New H1N1 Vaccine Expected this Week, More Coming; Initial 57,000 Doses of New H1N1 Flu Mist Vaccine Allotted to Illinois | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code issued by the AMA will streamline the reporting and reimbursement procedure for physicians and health care providers who are expected to administer nearly 200 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine in the United States.

The codes will also help to efficiently report and track immunization and counseling services related to the H1N1 vaccine throughout the health care system.

In consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the AMA CPT Editorial Panel created code 90470 to report H1N1 immunization administration and counseling.

Code 90663 was revised by the CPT Editorial Panel to refer specifically to the H1N1 vaccine product.

Both, revised code 90663 and Category I CPT Code 90470 are effective immediately.

For quick reference, the two codes are below:

• 90470-H1N1 immunization administration (intramuscular, intranasal), including counseling when performed
• 90663-Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation, H1N1

MEDIA CONTACT:

Robert J. Mills, 312-464-5970
American Medical Association
robert.mills@ama-assn.org

American Medical Association Creates New CPT Codes for H1N1 Immunizations | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“People ages 50 and older should arm themselves for the upcoming flu season by getting a flu shot.  Public health officials recommend that getting the seasonal flu shot is the best way to protect yourselves and your family from the flu, especially older adults who are considered at risk from complications of the flu,” said Director Johnson.  “This flu season is expected to be worse because the H1N1 flu will be circulating at the same time as the seasonal flu, so people should also check with their health care provider for the availability of the H1N1 vaccine.”

As much as 20 percent of people nationwide get the (seasonal) flu each year.  About 200,000 people experience complications from the flu and have to be hospitalized.  And about 36,000 die each year from the flu.  Flu symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

The flu is spread through coughing or sneezing.  In addition to getting a flu shot, people are also encouraged to use good sanitary measures, such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing, washing hands and staying away from others when sick.

The seasonal flu shot does not protect against H1N1.  A vaccine for the H1N1 flu, which is separate from the seasonal flu vaccine, should be available in mid-October.  The H1N1 vaccine is intended to be used in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine.

Information about seasonal flu and H1N1 is available at ready.illinois.gov and flu.gov.

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, call the Department on Aging Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 1-888-206-1327.

Illinois Department on Aging Reminds Seniors to Get Flu Shots in Observance of Healthy Aging Month, Seniors At Risk for Complications of Flu | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“Even before Chicago saw its first case of the H1N1 last spring, we fully understood that although this new strain of flu is a serious challenge which must be addressed responsibly, no one needs to be alarmed or to panic,” said Mayor Daley. “Since that time, we have been able to review the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s proposed guidelines and use them to further develop our plans and our strategy to protect residents this fall – when the numbers of flu cases are expected to increase.”

This strategy includes new guidelines for parents who have children suffering with flu like symptoms as well as how students can keep up with their school work if they are at home for several days recovering from an illness.

Chicago Public Schools and the Health Department have also collaborated on a more sophisticated system to track attendance data as well as illness patterns so that school closures are the last possible resort.

“In accordance with the guidelines set by the federal government, our goal is to minimize disruption in the classroom environment – which will also help minimize disruption for parents and their employers,” said Mayor Daley.

Specifically, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Terry Mason, M.D advised everyone to:

• Get a “seasonal” flu vaccination as soon as is reasonably possible. To get a seasonal flu shot, contact your family doctor or other health care provider. If you do not have a doctor, call 311 to find a City of Chicago vaccination site. From September 14 to October 9, the City will offer seasonal flu shots at no charge, at 45 one-day flu clinics. Additionally, a number of pharmacies and related businesses are or will soon be offering seasonal flu vaccinations. There will be plenty of “seasonal flu” vaccine, and shots will be easy to get.
• Make an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands regularly with soap and water, and stay home from work and/or school if you have flu-like symptoms (coughing, sore throat and a fever).
• Remind parents of young children to teach these good health habits to their sons and daughters—and to plan ahead and make home-care arrangements for their children on days when they are ill and should be kept home from school or day care.
• Get vaccinated against the new strain of pandemic flu (also called “swine flu” and “H1N1 flu”). When the pandemic flu vaccine arrives, the Chicago Department of Public Health will take the lead to ensure that it is distributed quickly, efficiently and in accord with federal CDC guidelines. It will be distributed to hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities to ensure that health workers are vaccinated. CDPH will also distribute it to retail pharmacies, occupational health centers and colleges/universities. CDPH will also offer the new vaccine at sites across the city for Chicagoans who do not have a health care provider or whose health care providers do not have vaccine.

The Chicago Public Schools also outlined measures for a mobilized response plan that will be fully operational at the start of the official school year on Tuesday, September 8. Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman said their plan included:

• Using new data surveillance monitoring system that enables Chicago Public Schools to monitor attendance anomalies by school so that school closures are the last resort. The CPS Office of Specialized Services and the Chicago Department of Public Health will work together on a daily basis to monitor attendance data and flu like activity, using absence summary spreadsheets.
• Allowing students with a fever of 24 hours or less to immediately return to school. Students who have fever of 100 degrees or higher will be sent home and are advised to be monitored for 24 hours. If the fever persists beyond 24 hours, they will be advised to remain at home. If the student’s fever dissipates after 24 hours, they can return to school. Former CPS guidelines recommended students remain away from school for seven days when a fever was present.
• For children who are home recovering from an illness, CPS will begin to offer “Parent Portals” so that parents can go on-line and download homework assignments to keep their children current on their studies while out of the classroom.
• Hand sanitizers and Kleenex are being stocked at all schools and disposable thermometers at every school. Schools will not be supplied with masks; however children are allowed to wear masks at school.

Finally, Commissioner Mary Ellen Caron said the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) will send out letters this week to all of its childcare, Early Head Start and Head Start sites to remind all parents of the preventative measures for H1N1. All affiliates will also be asked to contact the Department of Public Health if rates of absence are more or greater than five percent, or if they observe any unusual numbers of absences among staff.

DFSS has also made Heath Info Prevention materials available at all of the City’s six Community Service Centers and 18 Senior Service Centers.

“We fully believe that working together preventive steps will help protect people against disease transmission and protect everyone at school, as well as the larger community,” said Mayor Daley. “We are prepared as we can be for this flu season. The best thing we can all do is to stay alert and stay aware.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mayor’s Press Office, 312-744-3334

Mayor Daley and City of Chicago Officials Unveil City-wide H1N1 Flu Prevention Strategy | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.