Seminar on Influenza and Novel H1N1

[Debbie Taylor]

My friend just told me about a great seminar on Influenza and Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu) being given at the Marriott Marquis on Friday, October 23rd. It is being hosted by New York College of Health Professions called Infection Prevention: Influenza and Novel H1N1, The Flu & You, What You Need To Know. You can download a flyer and registration form at www.nycollege.edu - the info is on their home page. You may be able to get this reimbursed by your employer too! I am definitely going to go because I am hearing so much info on the news and want to know the real deal from an expert nurse.

[indigo girl]

That sounds very interesting, Debbie. Perhaps you can share the highlights with us when you return?

I recently attended the CIDRAP event:

https://allnurses.com/pandemic-flu-forum/center-infectious-disease-426220.html

I am curious to hear what they will have to say about "the Holy War" as they called

it regarding which mask is the most protective. It was abundantly clear at the conference that I attended that there was much disagreement about this with the ID people basing their preference on "expert opinion" and the rest of us basing ours on the scientific evidence presented at the IOM hearings. Now, the Canadians have come out with a smaller study with completely different results than Dr. Raina McIntyre's research conducted in those 24 hospitals in Beijing last year. Go figure. Is it about the cost? Maybe, but no one is admitting this exactly.

So please do share. The other point that I would like to hear about is whether they will discuss the lack of scientific evidence regarding hand washing as a method of flu prevention. My guess is that they won't. We are continually hearing about handwashing particularly in schools. It is not that it is without merit for helping to prevent other diseases, but is not particularly helpful in preventing transmission of flu.

Have a great learning experience, Debbie! Don't forget to write!