BCHS physician to discuss flu prevention

Flu season is here! Are you prepared?

Influenza, better known as the 'flu,' is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that can lead to serious illness and even death. Young children, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes are at high risk for serious complications from influenza. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best protection against the flu is to get an annual flu vaccination. This is particularly important in light of the current concern about the H1N1 (swine) influenza.

Gregory Harrington, DO, a member of the Battle Creek Health System, medical director at the Calhoun County Health Department, and infectious disease specialist with Mercy Community Physicians, will speak on flu prevention and dispelling the myths around flu shots on Wednesday, October 14, noon at Burnham Brook Center.

The program, which is free to the public, is sponsored through Senior Health Partners in coordination with Battle Creek Health System. A lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Harrington's presentation at noon. Seating is limited. Reservations can be made by calling the class/seminar registration line at (877) GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).

The presentation will focus on key facts about 'seasonal' and H1N1 influenzas and their flu vaccines. Every year in the United States on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu.

What can you do to protect yourself against the flu this year? The single best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu shot because the strain of influenza changes from season to season. Actually the flu circulates around the world year-round; the height of the flu season in the United States is mid-December through March.

"There are a number of false assumptions about the flu vaccine," says Dr. Harrington. "Because it is made with inactivated virus it cannot give you the flu. It does, however, take a couple of weeks before your body builds up enough antibodies to be protective, so it is possible to get the flu in the period shortly after having the shot. It is also possible that you could acquire another infection shortly after receiving the influenza vaccine. The strains selected in the annual vaccine may not adequately reflect the most common strain circulating that year. However, the vaccine still provides protection. Because the dominant strains vary annually, you have to be vaccinated every year to maintain protection."

Senior Health Partners, a community partnership of Battle Creek Health System, CentraCare, Region 3B Area Agency on Aging, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun and surrounding counties.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.

About the Presenter:
Dr. Gregory Harrington received his medical education from Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine with an internship at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing. He completed his internal medicine residency at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids and fellowships in infectious diseases and pulmonary critical care medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI.

He is board certified in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and pulmonary critical care medicine.

Dr. Harrington joined the Battle Creek Health System medical staff in 1996 and is affiliated with the practice-Mercy Community Physicians, a multi-specialty practice in Battle Creek. He is also medical director for the Calhoun County Health Department.