Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Woodbridge hospital is offering virtual appointments to fight the flu.
If you're feeling under the weather, but don't want to sit in a waiting room, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center now offers virtual appointments with a board certified physician from Sentara MDLIVE, according to a statement on Sentara's website. To set up a virtual appointment, log on to www.mdlive.com or call 1-800-335-4836. An appointment can be scheduled within a few minutes of registration. And no matter your work schedule, you can get an appointment that works for you —appointments are available 24/7. During your appointment, a board-certified doctor will consult with you by telephone or webcam, and diagnose your symptoms and prescribe treatment or medication. Prescriptions can be sent electronically to a pharmacy convenient to…
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Inova hospitals say flu arrived sooner, is more widespread, causing spike in number of patients visiting emergency rooms.
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Thursday, January 17
While the Centers for Disease Control counts Virginia as one of the states seeing a spike in flu cases, flu is not a reportable disease, so hard numbers are difficult to come by. But Inova, the largest hospital system in Northern Virginia, is seeing a spike in the number of flu patients visiting their emergency rooms, a spokesman said. And across the area, it's the same story — three times as many — a county spokesman said. "We, like everyone else in the Metro region, have experienced an uptick over the past four weeks in both outpatient visits to our EDs [emergency rooms] as well as in-patient placements for those with flu-related complications," said Tony Raker, public relations director for Inova Hospitals in Northern Virginia. Members …
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Hospital curtails visitation hours, restricts visitors to those 18 and older.
The flu epidemic sweeping the country is definitely being felt in Northern Virginia, with hospital emergency rooms reporting a spike in patients coming in with flu-like symptoms. In the wake of an increase in flu cases in Northern Virginia, Inova hospitals are putting restrictions on visitors, the hospital system announced Friday in a news release. "As part of our vision to optimize the health and well-being of each individual we serve, Inova hospitals will be instituting specific visitation measures in response to continued regional Influenza infection," said spokesman Tony Raker, in the release. "These measures, designed to protect patients, visitors and staff from exposure to influenza, are in effect system wide at all Inova hospital …
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Flu activity in Virginia is already high, according to Google's Flu Trends.
Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: At this time last year, flu cases were much lower in Northern Virginia than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. Overall in Virginia, activity is considered high and heading quickly toward an "intense" rating. Activity is similar in DC. It was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. Flu activity is strongest in the South and southeastern United States, according to a recent release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also offers this information and tips about avoiding influenza this winter: See also:
Local flu rates are already high, according to Google trends. Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.
According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country. In Northern Virginia, flu levels are already high. If you're considering getting the vaccine, all CVS/Pharmacy locations offer vaccines, as do many Safeway stores and other grocers that have a pharmacy. Look up where to get a flu shot in Eastern Prince William County here. For more on the flu, see: CDC Says Flu Season is Here: Local Rates Increasing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following information:
Friday, December 7, 2012
The CDC established National Influenza Vaccination Week to remind people that it's not too late to get a flu shot.
The flu season is off to an earlier-than-usual start nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Activity is most intense in the south-central and southeast of the country right now," the a CDC report released Monday says. "Most of the viruses characterized so far this season have been H3N2 viruses; which are typically associated with more severe seasons." The CDC established Dec. 2-8 as National Influenza Vaccination Week. The week is highlighted to remind people to get flu vaccinations before flu season. Last week, a Mayo Clinic report suggested people at risk for heart disease who get flu shots reduce their risk for heart attacks. This week, the Fairfax County Health Department will provide tips and …
Friday, October 5, 2012
Find out where to get vaccinated for influenza and what strains will be popular
Although flu season "peaks" in January and February, flu season starts now in Northern Virginia and will last through May, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Northern Virginia has low levels of flu infections right now, but infection rates are slightly higher in Washington, D.C., Google Flu Trends data shows. The trends are based on search engine data related to the flu and its symptoms. “The past three years have demonstrated that influenza is predictably unpredictable,” said Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during a news conference last week. “When it comes to flu, we can’t look to the past to predict the future. Stay healthy — get …
