There are many questions people have about seasonal and the 2009 H1N1 flu. CDC has developed several broadcast quality videos that focus on some of the different topics for which the public is seeking information such as warning signs of the flu, preventing its spread and taking antiviral medications.
Four "Influenza Roundtable" videos were filmed, featuring Dr. Joe Bresee, Chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in CDC's Influenza Division. These videos provide easy to understand answers for the public and provide important public health recommendations and action steps to protect their health and the health of their families.
The videos, "Warning Signs," "Don't Get, Don't Spread," "Take 3", and "Antiviral Drugs," were recently launched on CDC's Web site and provide simple, yet vital information for the 2009-10 flu season. Filmed in the format of a media interview, Dr. Bresee discusses topics related both to 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu in one to two and a half minute segments. In "Take 3," Dr. Bresee reminds the public of the three actions they can take to fight the flu, "Well, first and foremost, take time to get the vaccine… it's especially important for people at high risk of severe illness if they get the flu." In the "Antiviral Drugs" video, Dr. Bresee busts the myth that there is no treatment for the flu, "They [antiviral drugs] can make us feel better faster or they can make our symptoms milder."
The conversational and informative dialogue in these videos, make them aneal flu resource for the general public. All four new videos can be found online at CDC-TV. CDC-TV videos are available for viewing via mobile phone or downloadable as online videos or podcasts (see "Download this Video" guidance on the CDC-TV page). They are also available in higher-quality formats to allow the general public, organizations, cable television and commercial broadcast to play back, download, web stream or broadcast as public-interest programming for parents, youth, healthcare providers and teachers. For more information on obtaining broadcast quality versions of these videos, contact Jim Cosgrove: JCosgrove@cdc.gov 404-639-4932.
Pandemic Preparedness Planning for pandemics, such as 2009 H1N1, has been an important component of U.S. public health for several years. The Influenza Roundtable videos were created to highlight the core public health messages in the event of a pandemic. The scripts were in the final stages of development when the 2009 H1N1 virus was first detected in the United States.
For more information, contact: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Phone: 800-232-4636 Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov