|
For Immediate Release September 4, 2009 Contact: Vicki L. Duey, Four Corners Health Department 402-362-2621, toll free 877-337-3573 What do you need to know about H1N1? Did you know that we are still in a World Health Organization declared Pandemic? What does that mean to our Community in the Four Corners Health District? It means that the New (Novel) H1N1 virus that made itself known for the first time early this year has continued to spread around the world. While the regular seasonal flu basically went away during the summer, this new strain of the flu continued to infect people here as well as across the globe. So far, most cases have been mild. Most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment. There have, however, been some severe illnesses and deaths in Nebraska. The H1N1 virus is contagious and is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by infected people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose. Now that school is back in session we are hearing about even more cases as the kids are brought together in the classroom setting. Close contact allows germs to spread and more people to be exposed to an illness. What should we do to protect ourselves, our families and others? The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever over 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you think you have H1N1 and are only mildly ill, you don’t need to seek treatment. If you are moderately to severely ill with a cough, sore throat, fever and body aches, call the physician’s office and tell staff what symptoms you are experiencing. The physician may want to see you separately from other patients so that you don’t expose them in the waiting room. He or she may decide you don’t need to be seen. If you have underlying medical conditions, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral for you, which will ease your symptoms and possibly shorten the duration of your illness. Young children may not have typical symptoms, but may have difficulty breathing and be lethargic. Typically, flu causes mild disease in children, but children under 5 years old are more likely to have serious illness than older children. Flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions, like asthma, and those with compromised immune systems. Those between 5 and 24 make up the group most affected by H1N1. Keep your sick child at home unless they need medical attention. Have them drink plenty of liquids. Use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends, but do not use aspirin with children or teenagers. It can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness. Precautions to take to avoid getting the flu or avoid giving it to others:
We will soon be entering the typical seasonal flu symptoms. It is very important that everyone who can receive the seasonal flu vaccination. While this will not protect you from the Novel H1N1 virus it will help you to limit the number of people who get the seasonal flu. The healthier we can stay the better chance we have of fighting off other illnesses. Right now, people should get their seasonal flu immunization as soon as possible. Limited quantities of vaccine for Novel H1N1 are expected to be available in mid-October. At this time it appears that vaccination will require two shots, usually separated by four weeks. We want to be able to get this vaccine distributed to those most at risk when it begins to come in. Right now we need to use all the methods we can to stay healthy. If you have questions regarding this or other health issues please see the Four Corners Health Department website at www.fourcorners.ne.gov or give us a call at 877-337-3573
|
|
Website by WebTech Solutions