Back in Session: Preparing for Seasonal Infections Across the Community–Healthcare Continuum

1 IPU

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 @ 1 pm ET

When schools return to session, changing routines, increased close contact, and seasonal disease patterns can affect infection transmission far beyond the classroom. These shifts in the community often become infection prevention challenges within healthcare facilities—making early recognition, surveillance, and preparation essential.

Led by pediatric infectious disease specialist Melanie A. Wellington, MD, PhD, this webinar will explore the seasonal progression of illnesses commonly associated with the return to school. Using select examples such as influenza and other respiratory viruses, norovirus, pertussis, measles, varicella, meningococcal disease, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease, Dr. Wellington will discuss how community trends can inform healthcare preparedness and response.

Participants will consider how illnesses may present differently in pediatric and adult populations, how local disease and vaccination data can support planning, and how infection preventionists can adapt surveillance, precautions, and education as conditions change throughout the season.

Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:  

• Describe how the return to school and seasonal patterns can influence infection transmission in the community and healthcare facilities.
• Compare important considerations for recognizing and preventing infections in pediatric and adult populations.
• Apply surveillance data and community indicators to infection prevention planning, communication, and education.

Speaker:

Melanie A. Wellington MD, PhD
University of Iowa Physicians
Infectious Disease Specialist
Clinical Professor

Continuing Education (CE) Credit

IPUs:
APIC designates this activity for 1 infection prevention unit(s).
For more information, please visit the CBIC Website here.