Doctor Wages National Media Blitz Against The Cold/Flu Season

DANBURY — Dr Paul B. Iannini, chairman of the Department of Medicine at Danbury Hospital and clinical professor of Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine, isn’t taking the news that millions of people are currently suffering respiratory tract infections (RTIs) lying down.

As chief scientific advisor for the RTI alert, this highly sought after international expert in infectious diseases appeared in multiple national TV interviews recently to inform Americans about good health habits during this peak month for RTIs.

 On January 16 through 18, during broadcasts on all four major networks in Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Nevada, Alabama, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, New York, and Oklahoma, Dr Iannini explained how the use of humidifiers, hand washing, avoiding crowds, and cutting down on smoking can help keep sinus, ear, throat, and pneumonia infections out of the body. In addition to discussing symptoms, he reviewed treatment options for both bacterial and viral infections, resistance of common antibiotics, and the importance of flu shots to protect oneself throughout cold and flu season.

Above and beyond his recent appearance in the national media, this Newtown resident has built an international reputation in infectious diseases scientific research. A highly respected speaker, he frequently presents his research findings based on his work at Danbury Hospital around the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease, antibiotic therapy, and resistance to antibiotics.

Closer to home, Dr Iannini said he hopes his work enables Danbury Hospital to continually improve its ability to prevent infectious diseases, as well as treat them effectively.

“Our research in the community hospital setting enhances our role as a teaching institution. The better we become at treating infectious diseases and the more rationally we apply the use of antibiotics, the better we will maintain high-quality care and contain health care costs in the region,” Dr Iannini said.

“Research, like teaching, is an important component of any true medical center,” said Dr Iannini, “and our patients are more knowledgeable about clinical trials and research than ever before. We have to show the community that we have this expertise.”

Last year, Dr Iannini delivered scientific presentations in Spain and Monaco, as well as in Argentina at the Ninth International Conference on Infectious Diseases. In his more than 25 years of research activity, he has published approximately 70 scientific papers, articles, book chapters, and poster presentations. He co-authored the latest Academy of Family Physicians guide on the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), as well as a book chapter on treatment in Quinolones, third edition, for Academic Press.

Prior to completing a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, and internal medicine residency at Hartford Hospital, Dr Iannini earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He is a graduate of St Anselm’s College, Manchester, N.H.

In addition to his research at Danbury Hospital, Dr Iannini is program director of the internal medicine residency program and the former chief of infectious disease. He was previously head of the infectious diseases branch of the Internal Medicine Service at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.