A unique and innovative analysis of how social media can affect the spread of a disease has been designed and implemented by a scientist at Penn State studying attitudes toward the H1N1 vaccine. Marcel Salathe, an assistant professor of biology, studied how users of Twitter -- a popular microblogging and social-networking service -- expressed their sentiments about a new vaccine. He then tracked how the users' attitudes correlated with vaccination rates and how microbloggers with the same negative or positive feelings seemed to influence others in their social circles. The research is considered the first case study in how social media sites affect and reflect disease networks, and the method is expected to be repeated in the study of other diseases. The results will be published in the journal PLoS Computational Biology. (more)
Flu season has arrived at Penn State, according to University Health Services (UHS) Infection Control Nurse Manager Shelley Haffner. Haffner said all three strains of influenza have been seen this spring at UHS. "Vaccination is the smartest thing you can do to prevent the spread of flu," said Haffner. "This year's flu vaccine continues to be a good match to currently circulating flu viruses."
Students can receive their flu vaccines at UHS by scheduling online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myUHS or by calling the appointment line at 814-863-0774 during regular business hours. The flu vaccine currently is available at no cost to students; however, there is a $15 administration fee. Penn State student health insurance plans will cover the administration fee if the vaccine is received at UHS. (more)
Influenza season is up and running again. One of the first Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) reports of influenza for this season was in late summer among 33 persons in a nursing home in southeastern Pennsylvania. Since that time, sporadic cases have occurred. Recently, the DOH reported rising numbers of flu cases throughout the commonwealth, including severe illness in Lehigh Valley. Cases have been caused by the same H1N1 flu that appeared in 2009, as well as other types of flu virus. It's important to know what you can do now to protect yourself and those around you from getting sick. (more)
University Health Services (UHS) will hold a flu vaccination clinic for University Park students on Monday, Oct. 11. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments ahead of time and may schedule appointments online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/myUHS starting Oct. 4. Appointments will be available between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Penn State student health insurance plans will cover the cost of the vaccine ($20) if it is received at UHS. (more)
Based in part on last year's H1N1 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised flu vaccine recommendations this year to include everyone over the age of 6 months, not just those at high risk for complications. This year's flu vaccine will include the 2009 H1N1 strain as part of the vaccine. Penn State employees and their spouses and partners can register for a seasonal flu vaccine through Health Matters, and a flu vaccination clinic for University Park students will be held in mid-October. Both may be scheduled online. (more)
Disease statistics buried within patient records or detailed in newspaper clippings can be sorted and organized to depict geographic patterns, allowing the discovery of trends that were previously overlooked, according to a Penn State geographer. "The use of interactive maps and graphs, combined with word search interfaces, can lead to greater insight into complex events such as the spread of Swine flu," said Frank Hardisty, research associate, Penn State GeoVISTA Center. (more)
University Health Services (UHS) has seen several confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza within the past two weeks. It is clear that H1N1 still is present on the University Park campus. Seasonal flu typically increases at this time of year as well. (more)
University Health Services (UHS) strongly encourages all students to get vaccinated against both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Public health officials predict that another wave of H1N1 influenza is likely in the U.S. later this winter or spring. Seasonal flu typically increases at this time as well. (more)
Although the United States is currently seeing a decline in influenza-like illness (ILI), other regions of the world including parts of Europe, Asia and the Caribbean still are seeing widespread illness. Public health officials predict that another wave of H1N1 influenza is likely in the U.S. later this winter or spring. An adequate immune response to the vaccine takes approximately 14 days. Getting vaccinated now will prevent illness from H1N1 should the virus cause further outbreaks. It also is a good time to get vaccinated against seasonal flu -- this is the time of year that seasonal influenza outbreaks occur and students are vulnerable to both H1N1 and seasonal influenza. (more)
This week, vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur announced a voluntary, non-safety-related recall of four lots of pediatric H1N1 flu vaccine after it was discovered that the vaccine no longer met potency specifications. None of the doses administered at Penn State are involved in the recall. Children already vaccinated from these lots do not need to be revaccinated, because the small decrease in antigen content is unlikely to result in a significant reduction in immune response. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control's Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/syringes_qa.htm online.
