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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Information
Information on the 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu outbreak
is constantly changing. For the most up-to-date information, click
here
for a link to the CDC webpage.
Currently, those who MIGHT have
swine flu may experience any of the following:
-
Fever greater than
100F
-
Sore throat
-
Cough
-
Stuffy nose
-
Chills
-
Headache and body
aches
-
Fatigue
-
Vomiting
-
Diarrhea
Parents, please note
that nearly all acute illnesses we see will have one or more of the above
symptoms! These symptoms can occur with the common cold, ear
infections, viral sore throats, strep throat, bronchitis, allergies, and a host
of other illnesses.
Now that community transmission
is occurring in out state, risk factors such as travel or exposure to those who
have traveled can no longer be used to distinguish between those individuals who
may have a high likelihood of H1N1 flu versus those who have other respiratory
illnesses.
Since H1N1 flu is becoming more
widespread, the state health department and the CDC have restricted testing to
those who are hospitalized with severe disease, including fever,
respiratory symptoms, and no other likely cause for the illness. We
cannot perform confirmatory testing in the office.
Although H1N1 flu has been deadly in
Mexico, for some reason the severity among cases in the United States has been
less, with only one confirmed death thus far (a child who was brought across the
border from Mexico). Even with the usual annual
influenza, around 35,000 people die in our country each year (approximately 100
people a day). It is too early to say if the H1N1 flu will be more
severe, the same, or even less severe than the usual annual flu. The very
young, the elderly, and those with serious underlying medical conditions are
those at greatest risk with any type of flu.
Not everyone who has
suspected flu needs to be seen in the office. Only those
who have severe respiratory symptoms, who are under five years of age, or older
than 65, or who have a serious underlying medical condition, should be evaluated
with the above symptoms. Furthermore, the CDC is recommending treatment
with antiviral medication only for those in the higher risk categories, or for
those who are ill enough to require hospitalization.
Should you suspect your
child has H1N1 flu, and feel that he needs to be seen, please alert
the receptionist when you call for an appointment. We will furnish a mask
for your child upon arrival, and will evaluate him as quickly as possible.
What you and your family can do
in order to stay healthy
Common everyday practices:
-
Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze, then throw the
tissue in the trash after
you use it.
-
Wash your hands often with
soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hands cleaners
are also effective.
-
Avoid touching your eyes,
nose or mouth. Germs spread
that way.
Try to avoid close contact with
sick people.
-
Influenza is thought to
spread mainly
person-to-person through
coughing or sneezing of
infected people.
- If
you get sick, CDC recommends
that you stay home from work
or school and limit contact
with others to keep from
infecting them.
The Practitioners and Staff of
The ChildHealth Center, PA are
constantly reviewing the current information and recommendations in this
emerging outbreak in order to take the best possible care of your child!
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