This year, the flu is a hot topic of conversation – between Pandemic H1N1 (popularly referred to as swine flu) and the regular old seasonal flu, there’s a lot to talk about. If you want to make sure that you have all the facts, be sure to check out the Influenza Evidence-Based Information Portal.
The portal is a free service offered by EBSCO, a publishing company that provides many of the Weinberg Memorial Library’s subscription databases. In order for information to be included in the portal, it has to be evidence-based – which means that it’s based on the best available research findings. The portal will be updated as new evidence comes in throughout the 2009-2010 flu season.
The portal features three sections – one each for clinicians, nurses, and patients. The patient section includes information about both Pandemic H1N1 influenza and seasonal influenza – including their causes, symptoms, and recommended prevention and treatment. There’s also information about both the seasonal vaccine and H1N1 vaccine, from their risks to who should and should not get each vaccine (did you know that people who are allergic to eggs shouldn’t get the H1N1 vaccine?).
For more information about the flu, also check out the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) pages on H1N1 and the seasonal flu. You’ll find resources on current flu activity in both the United States and internationally, as well as additional information on vaccines for both strains of influenza.
And don’t forget to follow CDC’s recommendations for preventing the spread of influenza — cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and stay home if you feel sick. Let’s hope the University of Scranton community stays healthy this year!
Update: The Pennsylvania Department of Health just released a new website, H1N1 in PA. It includes a calendar feature that will be updated to show when the vaccine will become available in your area.
Another update: The University of Scranton now has its own H1N1 information page.
Last but not least: We’re keeping a running list of useful H1N1 resources on our Research Guides wiki.