Update on Swine Flu

My good friend Barb Dehn, a praticing Women's Health Nurse Pracitioner, has just posted a great blog with information on Swind Flu.  I'm reposting here but feel free to check out her blog with some great information - www.barbsdailydose.typedpad.com

FIRST DO NOT PANIC

This is what we know

There has been 20 cases confirmed in the US

US - NONE HAVE DIED, and only 2 were severe enough to be hospitalized

8     New York 
7     California
2     Kansas
2     Texas
1     case in Ohio

Why the CDC is concerned:

 

1. In New York, the 8 cases are all high school students from St. Francis Prep in Queens. Students from this school had traveled to Mexico city in the last 2 weeks.  It's not yet known if the students with Swine Flu are the same ones who went to Mexico City or if they were infected by a classmate who traveled there.  All of the students in New York are recovering.

2. The virus is the same as the one in Mexico, which is responsible for at least 16 confirmed deaths. You may have seen reports of 86 deaths, which was reported today by the Mexican Health Minister. The CDC has yet to confirm that all of those cases were conclusively caused by Swine Flu.

       

What can people do:

 

Watch for flu symptoms  and see you health care provider for

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Body Aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting 

Most important:  

 

If you are sick, stay home, don't travel, don't go to work and don't send your kids to school, people may be contagious as long as 7 days after all symptoms have resolved (gone away).

Are there medications to treat?

 

Tamiflu & Relenza - these are effective, recommended by the CDC and help prevent the virus from worsening and causing more severe symptoms.  They can be taken as soon as symptoms start, or as soon as a person suspects exposure.

 

Prevention and Precautions:

• Good old fashioned hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol based cleaner
• Anti-bacterial wipes kill 99.99% of germs and cleans hands by removing dirt and grime.  Wet Ones® Antibacterial Wipes (www.wetones.com) is a great product to carry in your bag as well as throw in your kids school bag.
• Use a tissue for coughing and sneezing, and then throw them away
• Stay away from people who are sick

What about eating Pork?

 

Eating pork DOES NOT cause Swine flu.  As long as you cook it thoroughly, it's still safe to eat pork.  I'll provide regular updates.  Be well, and try not to panic.  The Swine Flu can be a very serious infection, but there are few cases in the US and all of the people infected have recovered or are recovering.  Stay safe by taking precautions.