Since launching its new influenza web presentation in November of 1998, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has seen a three-fold increase in the number of consumers viewing its web site.

The influenza web presentation provides consumers and health care professionals with a broad range of information including influenza diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; available vaccines; who should and should not receive a flu shot; types of viruses; and many of the symptoms and complications associated with infection. In addition, the presentation provides valuable links to other major web sites, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization. The influenza web presentation was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Pasteur Merieux Connaught.

"This is the first of what we hope will serve as a valuable source of information for consumers about a wide variety of immunization information," said William J. Martone, MD, senior executive director of NFID. NFID plans to expand its web site with additional infectious disease presentations.

Influenza is responsible for 100,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths annually in the United States. According to the CDC, it is estimated that during most flu seasons, approximately 10 to 20 percent of the population is infected with influenza.

"Our influenza web presentation was designed to help educate the public about a disease that continues to effect a large percentage of our country's population," said Dr. Martone.

The influenza presentation can be accessed through NFID's home page located at www.nfid.org. First launched in November of 1995, the NFID web site provides consumers with a wealth of additional infectious disease information. The site features a virtual library of diseases, factsheets, publications, NFID-sponsored conferences, press conferences, and information on fellowships. Each area is indexed for easy referencing.

Infectious Disease Information

NFID provides the general public with an alphabetized list of numerous brochures and factsheets on all types of infectious disease issues. Each factsheet is easily accessible and most are available for free. Links are also offered to other infectious disease sites.

Publications

For the busy health care provider, the NFID web site features back issues of all three of the Clinical Updates series Clinical Updates in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Clinical Updates in Fungal Infections, and Clinical Updates in Infectious Diseases. These publications focus on current trends and new research in each of the topic areas.

Another publication available through the web site is The Double Helix . As with the Clinical Updates, back issues of this newsletter are also available. Other medical publications, such as conference proceedings and abstract books can be reviewed as well.

Education

Information about NFID's educational conferences, press events, and medical courses are all available on the web site. Be sure to check this area regularly as updates are made frequently. Proceedings and submitted abstracts from some of the educational conferences are also highlighted.

To promote professional education, NFID offers several fellowship programs every year. A current listing of available fellowships as well as application information is posted on the web site.

National Coalition for Adult Immunization

NFID provides a direct link to the National Coalition for Adult Immunization's web site. There individuals can find information on current immunization schedules and a wide variety of publications.