With the looming threat of both the H1N1 flu (also known as “swine flu”) and the regular seasonal flu, area health officials fear that the worst may be in store this coming flu season.

To help prepare for the worst, Loyola University Medical Center will host a symposium of infectious disease researchers and physicians from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. The event will take place in Room 2812 of the Maguire Center on the campus of Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood.

Member of the media are welcome to attend.

The symposium will feature infectious disease specialists from Loyola, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. Topics will include infection control, the importance of vaccines and diagnostic testing and surveillance and reporting methods. The agenda and speakers will include:

• 9:30-9:45 a.m. –Welcome and opening remarks
• 9:45-10:45 a.m. – Dr. Susan I. Gerber, Cook County Department of Public Health, on Novel H1N1: Infection Control Considerations
• 10:45-11:45 a.m. – Paul Schreckenberger, Ph.D., Loyola University Medical Center, on Impact of Novel H1N1 Influenza on Diagnostic Testing
• 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Lunch (provided)
• 12:45-1:45 p.m. – Dr. Sharon F. Welbel, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, on Influenza Preparedness at an Inner-City Public, Teaching Hospital
• 1:45-2:45 p.m. – Megan Patel, MPH, Cook County Department of Public Health, on Influenza Testing, Reporting and Surveillance
• 2:45-3 p.m. – Closing remarks

Source:  Loyola University Health System