H1N1 Flu Information

Medical personnel at The George Washington University Hospital have an active emergency preparedness program that addresses a wide variety of health threats, including the potential for an outbreak of North American influenza (H1N1 flu) in our community. GW personnel are involved in daily briefings with DC health officials to ensure that the hospital's response is consistent with good medical practice and governmental guidelines.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised that any individuals with symptoms consistent with acute influenza (cough, high fever, severe muscle aches) should seek medical care in an appropriate place. The treating healthcare provider will determine what type of testing is necessary. Clinicians follow CDC guidelines to determine necessity for testing and treatment. When a test is indicated, please note that the test is administered in priority order based on other medical conditions and emergencies presenting to the hospital at that time.

Current CDC recommendation for testing:

• Most patients with clinical illness consistent with uncomplicated influenza who reside in an area where influenza viruses are circulating do not require diagnostic influenza testing for clinical management.
• Patients who should be considered for influenza diagnostic testing include:
• Hospitalized patients with suspected influenza
• Patients for whom a diagnosis of influenza will have an effect on decisions regarding clinical care, infection control, or management of close contacts.
• Patients who died of an acute illness in which influenza was suspected.

Currently confirmatory testing is sent to DC DOH for hospitalized patients only.

The public can obtain information on the H1N1 flu by visiting the following Web sites or calling the Centers for Disease Control at 1-800-CDC-INFO.

H1N1 Influenza Information Center
CDC H1N1 Flu Information (English)
CDC H1N1 Flu Information (Spanish)