Swine Influenza Information
By Dr Guy Spinelli, President
The current swine influenza outbreak has many people concerned. And public health officials are issuing guidance to health professionals and the public on a daily basis. At Granite Medical, we are closely monitoring the situation.
The Centers for Disease Control has determined that this swine influenza virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
Spread of this swine flu virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. People who have the virus spread it mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. To avoid getting the flu, wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who may be sick with the flu.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Typically the fever is 100 or higher.
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, please call us at Granite Medical, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. We will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
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, and severe or persistent vomiting.
At this time, we are prescribing antiviral medication as a preventive measure only for people who meet the very narrow criteria that the Centers for Disease Control have set forth. We are not prescribing it for people at low risk. And there is currently a travel advisory for travel to Mexico.
As always, Granite Medical is “working together for your good health.”
Links
Swine Influenza: General Information
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
Swine Influenza and You
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm
Key Facts about Swine Influenza
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm
H1N1 Flu | Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu: Taking Care of a Sick Person
in Your Home
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
H1N1 Flu | What To Do if You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
Posted May 4, 2009, Updated May 27, 2009