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October 2009 Featured Story
H1N1 flu … and you
A new influenza virus, now called 2009 H1N1 flu (originally and commonly called “swine flu”), first caused illness in Mexico and the United States in March and April. On June 11, the World Health Organization signaled that a global pandemic was underway. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new 2009 H1N1 flu virus across the globe, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
While the H1N1 flu so far seems no more deadly than regular seasonal flu, the seasonal flu still kills 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes 200,000 every year. The big difference between the two flu strains is H1N1 sickens younger people more frequently while people over 65 are the main victims of seasonal flu.
What are the symptoms, and what do about H1N1 flu?
The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu are similar to those of the regular seasonal flu and include:
• fever,
• cough,
• sore throat,
• body aches,
• headache,
• chills,
• fatigue,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting.
The vast majority of people who have gotten H1N1 flu have not been terribly ill and have recovered at home with just rest and fluids. In fact, health officials suggest people should not race to their doctor’s office or emergency rooms.
Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. People with asthma, diabetes and heart disease, or whose flu condition doesn’t improve or worsens should seek medical help right away.
What are emergency signs?
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• fast breathing or trouble breathing,
• bluish or gray skin color,
• not drinking enough fluids,
• severe or persistent vomiting,
• not waking up or not interacting,
• being so irritable that the child does not want to be held,
• flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
• pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen,
• sudden dizziness,
• confusion,
• severe or persistent vomiting,
• flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Ways to help avoid the flu or keep it from spreading
 Wash your hands
Keeping your hands clean is essential to prevent catching and spreading the flu. The best methods are:
• washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice). Do this frequently, and anytime you’ve coughed or sneezed.
• rubbing your hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner that’s at least 60 percent alcohol is also effective in case soap and hot water are not available.
Cover your cough
 To help stop the spread of germs,
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze;
• or cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve, not your hands, if you don’t have a tissue.
• place used tissue in a waste basket; clean sleeve with a disinfecting wipe if necessary.
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing:
• wash with soap and water;
• or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
 Stay home if you’re sick
If you are sick with influenza-like symptoms, fever or chills AND cough or sore throat, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. This includes work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that sick workers stay home until 24-48 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees F or less) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Employees should stay home for 4 to 5 days in most cases. Avoid visiting the doctor if you have just normal flu symptoms you’re able to treat on your own.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
 Get the H1N1 flu vaccine
The CDC recommends that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available early this month. These target groups include:
• pregnant women;
• healthcare and medical services personnel;
• people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old;
• people 25-64 years of age that are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems;
• caregivers to people in at-risk groups such as those with asthma, diabetes, etc;
• people who live with or care for newborns; or people who live with members of at-risk groups who are allergic to the vaccine.
The H1N1 vaccine has shown to be effective with one dose and provide robust protection within 8-10 days after inoculation.
Have a disaster kit ready before you need it
Just as you should have a plan and “disaster kit” on hand for prolonged power outages during winter storm season, your family should have a kit in place should the pandemic worsen.
Here are some items suggested by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and a registered nurse that families should have on hand in preparation for the pandemic flu:
Water
Have a three-day supply on hand for each person in your household. For three days, one person needs at least three gallons.
• Store water in clean plastic containers.
• Sick, injured, and nursing mothers may need more water, as well.
Food
Have a three-day supply of foods that require no preparation, refrigeration, and very little water. (Do not forget a manual can opener.) Foods might include:
• protein bars
• canned meats, soups, fruits and vegetables
• dry cereal
• dry milk
• peanut butter
• individually packaged applesauce, Jell-O, pudding
• baby formula and pet food (if applicable)
• crackers
First Aid Kit:
• thermometer
• latex gloves, masks
• over-the-counter fever reducers, pain relievers (do not give aspirin to children, teens or young adults because of a potentially fatal disorder known as Reye's syndrome)
• cough drops, antacids
• tissues, toilet paper
• anti-diarrhea medication
• vitamins
• hydrogen peroxide, alcohol
• prescription medications for at least three weeks
• fluids: juices, Gatorade, Pedialyte
Other items:
• battery-operated or hand-crank flashlight
• battery-operated radio
• cell phone
• extra batteries
• blankets
• list of emergency phone numbers (include family doctor, hospital, health department)
• important documents
• identification
• soap/water, hand sanitizer
• detailed medical history of each member of the family.
Where to go for more info
Some of the information in this package may already be outdated by the time this issue is delivered in mailboxes because of the quickly changing flu situation. For up-to-the-minute information, visit these Web sites:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
www.flu.gov
www.in.gov/flu
in.gov/isdh
Here are some recommended videos about the H1N1 flu and personal hygiene parents can watch with kids:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3boxQwSpv-8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcVivmcBi8M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k9HBlN3SBE&NR=1&feature=fvwp.
This link listed in the print version, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wju7F5ytk6M, has been pulled from YouTube due to copyright claim.
Here's a link to the main October 2009 story on how co-ops have prepared for the worst.
Written By: eceditor
Date Posted: 9/30/2009
Number of Views: 305
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