Flu in the news

Children's Hospital and Health System is planning for the predicted resurgence of H1N1 influenza. An interdisciplinary team is identifying many issues and needs related to this challenge. Through a community-wide initiative, the team also is working in collaboration with local health departments and other area hospitals to address lessons learned this past spring when H1N1 emerged. Children's Hospital also often provides medical and child health expertise for media stories to raise awareness about child health issues like seasonal and swine flu. Below are some recent stories in the news featuring Children's Hospital experts and information.

Swine flu Q & A
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (ongoing) - Two of our experts, Michael F. Gutzeit, MD, chief medical officer, and Nancy Korom, MSN, RN, vice president of Patient Care Services, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, are answering questions from the community about H1N1 (swine) flu and kids.

Little rest on flu's front lines
From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Oct. 30, 2009) - Evening in the pandemic. The lights are off and Bayshore Pediatrics is closed, but one of the Glendale clinic's four doctors is on call. The pediatrician has been briefed on the most serious flu cases: who might need a trip to the emergency room if his cough worsens, who has a sister with asthma or a mother who is pregnant and at high risk for serious complications from influenza . . .

Flu Fighters campaign originates at Children's Hospital
From WTMJ-TV Ch. 4 (NBC) (Oct. 2009) - Children's Hospital has launched a unique influenza prevention campaign. Children's Flu Fighters targets parents, caregivers and children with a simple message: practice healthy, sanitary habits during this cold and flu season.

Schools using cartoon characters, posters to teach healthy habits
Oct. 5 Racine Journal Times - Experts estimate the H1N1 swine flu could infect half the U.S. population this winter. To make sure as few area students as possible are part of those who get sick with the influenza virus that has been deemed a global pandemic, local schools are stepping up their game when it comes to hand-washing and covering your mouth . . .

Parents face decision of giving children H1N1 vaccine
Sept. 29 WITI-TV Ch. 6 (FOX) - Parents will soon face the tough decision of giving their kids the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 flu strain is different from the regular seasonal flu, and that's where the uncertainty begins. Sharyl Paley, MD, at Bayshore Pediatrics provides helpful information for parents ...

Hand Sanitizers Could Be Dangerous For Kids
Experts Say Benefits To Fight Germs Outweigh Alcohol Ingestion Risks
Sept. 15 WISN-TV Ch. 12 (ABC) - Hand sanitizers have become an important weapon in the battle against colds and swine flu. But the very ingredient that makes them so effective can be dangerous, especially for kids. At Lowell Elementary School, hand sanitizers were on the back to school list. In fact, Milwaukee Public Schools distributed hand sanitizer to each of their classrooms. Cathy Smith of the Wisconsin Poison Center says the benefits outweigh the risks ...

Don't panic, do be proactive with H1N1
From CHHS Blog (Sept. 3, 2009) - Health officials predict the resurgence of H1N1 as summer changes to fall and kids are back in school. And, as I'm sure you've noticed, we are bombarded with new and sometimes changing information. We are very fortunate to have ready access to the latest facts and statistics from around the world. However, it's important that those resources don't cause unnecessary alarm or even panic. Written by Michael Gutzeit, MD, chief medical officer, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Another update on H1N1
From Bayshore Pediatrics Bayshore Connection Blog (Sept. 3, 2009) - The White House released a statement this week on worst case scenario predictions for H1N1 or swine flu. They estimated that 40-50% of the population would be infected, with an estimate of 30 to 90,000 deaths from that. The CDC retracted those numbers, stating they felt the estimates were too high; however, the above reports have caused a flood of questions to come into our office about when to vaccinate and what can be done about the H1N1 virus.

Hospitals Gearing Up for H1N1 Virus
From WUWM (Sept. 2009) - As schools prepare for H1N1 (swine) flu by stocking buildings with tissues and hand sanitizer, find out how area hospitals are planning. Featuring Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's Chief Medical Officer, Michael Gutzeit, MD.

Monitoring of swine flu shapes battle plans for fall
From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Aug. 9, 2009) - Quietly, hospitals have formed H1N1 committees and state and local health officials have reviewed their pandemic plans to prepare for the possible return of swine flu this fall. Nancy Korom, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's chief nursing officer, talks about Children's plans, which include restricting visitors and creating a special flu unit if necessary.