Living with the Flu » American Red Cross http://www.livingwiththeflu.org Stay Informed. Be Prepared. Prevent the Spread Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:59:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Searching for the flu…? http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/2009/11/03/searching-for-the-flu/ http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/2009/11/03/searching-for-the-flu/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:27:35 +0000 Red Cross STL http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/?p=164 It’s funny to me that the word “google” has become a verb. When I don’t know something, I simply say, “I’ll google it and find out.”

So, I guess it isn’t surprising that when a new strain of the flu developed and people were unfamiliar with it that they began to google it. In fact, Google [...]]]> It’s funny to me that the word “google” has become a verb. When I don’t know something, I simply say, “I’ll google it and find out.”

So, I guess it isn’t surprising that when a new strain of the flu developed and people were unfamiliar with it that they began to google it. In fact, Google believes that they can show a close relationship between the number of flu cases and the number of times the word “flu” has been searched for. and have had their results published in the journal Nature. They are so sure that they have a whole website devoted to Google flu trends and have had their results published in the journal Nature.

The evidence they have is very interesting and available for a number of countries. Although the Google information isn’t a substitute for statistics from the CDC or your local health department, it is updated daily and could turn into a great tool for health professionals.

Oh, and don’t worry, the information Google collects from searches can’t be used to identify any single user. So, feel free to keep googling all your questions!

Nicole Holtgrefe is the director of preparedness and client services for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.

]]> http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/2009/11/03/searching-for-the-flu/feed/ 1 Living With the Flu – Disaster Supply Kit http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/2009/10/28/living-with-the-flu-disaster-supply-kit/ http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/2009/10/28/living-with-the-flu-disaster-supply-kit/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:16:01 +0000 KETC http://www.livingwiththeflu.org/?p=134

As flu cases continue to grow in the St. Louis area, Nichole Holtgrefe from the St. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross talks about the sort of things you should have on hand in a disaster supply kit to be prepared for the flu. These items include food, water, and [...]]]>

As flu cases continue to grow in the St. Louis area, Nichole Holtgrefe from the St. Louis chapter of the American Red Cross talks about the sort of things you should have on hand in a disaster supply kit to be prepared for the flu. These items include food, water, and sports drinks to hydrate in case of dehydration. Over-the-counter medical supplies you might need as well. For more information about H1N1 and to find out about resources are available in the Greater St. Louis area, call the United Way’s helpline at 1-800-427-4626 or 2-1-1.

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