Tag Archives: Swine Flu Tips

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Uncategorized

CLOUD OF H1N1 VIRUS STILL LOOMING

The mysterious strain of influenza that began last spring is hanging over countries throughout the world like a heavy cloud.  Officials in the U.S. are concerned that the virus could infect as many as 30 to 50 per cent of its citizens, put 1.8 million persons in hospitals, and possibly kill between 30,000 to 90,000 people.  Seasonal flu kills 36,000 Americans in an annual normal flu season, and causes more than 200,000 patients to be admitted to hospitals.

Another main concern from health officials is that prescription medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, are being widely misused.  In the United Kingdom, experts had warned physicians not to prescribe the drug just because of public demand.  These medications can reduce the severity of the illness; however, they should be given only to high-risk patients, such as pregnant women, children under 5, or persons with underlying health conditions.

Excessive overuse can build up a resistance to antiviral drugs, as well as lead to a lack of medicine for those who desperately need them.  Many persons who have been taking Tamiflu in general, have not completed the required dosage, and some have reported side effects, such as vomiting or nausea.

As we witnessed on local television news last night, the first lesson being taught in an elementary school yesterday (the first day of school), was washing their hands.  School officials are aware of the importance these and other precautionary measures are to avert the spread of H1N1 in their schools.  As we have reported, government officials have designated local school administrations to be the decision makers if the need arises to close their schools.  It is felt that long periods of school closures are not necessary, as was done in the spring.  Anyone who has been ill is asked not to return to school until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours.  The same should apply to return to work, as well.

Five vaccine providers are working diligently to get the first immunizations out as soon as possible.  Until they are tested and approved, it is recommended that persons take the regular seasonal flu shot that should be available in September.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

MESSAGE FROM TEXAS

This message comes from Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of Department of State Health Services and Commissioner of Health for the State of Texas.  His message applies to every person in every state that is affected by the H1N1 influenza strain.  We want to pass along Dr. Lakey’s advice to Texans:
“We wanted to share with you some basic principles you can utilize to protect your health. Obviously, there is a lot of concern out there related to what we hear in the media with this new swine flu, but we want to put that in perspective, and again give you some tools to use to protect your health.  Every year we have seasonal influenza. We’re used to that. We take our shots to help protect us, and seasonal influenza is dying out this part of the year. Unfortunately, there is this new strain, and our hope is like the seasonal influenza it will also go away, but we can’t count on that. So we need to do things to protect our health.
There are very simple tools you can use to protect your health. First, flu is spread when we cough on each other. When we cough on our hand and we touch our mouth and touch our eyes, we can spread the disease. So it’s very important right now that if you are coughing, to cover your mouth and cover your nose.  It’s also very important to wash your hands. We spread diseases by our hands. If you don’t wash your hands, you can pass on germs or pick up germs and then touch your eye or mouth and you can become infected.
It’s also very important that we stay home when we are sick. A lot of us go to work no matter what condition we’re in. This is not the time to do that. If you’re sick you need to stay home. It’s not time to go for your perfect attendance record at school. It’s not time to worry about sick leave. If you are sick, you need to stay home. If you don’t, you could spread this to other individuals.
It’s also very important that you understand that throughout the state of Texas, we’re taking some specific measures to prevent the spread of this disease into your community. In communities where we have identified swine flu, we’re asking the communities to do specific steps. We’re asking them – at certain times when they have the disease in their schools – to close their schools. We’re asking them to implement their Pandemic Influenza Plan so we are ready, and the community is ready, for whatever comes their way. We’re working with health care providers throughout the state so they know what they need to do in order to protect your health.
Again, I appreciate your time. Again, I advise you to do those basic precautions to protect your health, wash your hands, cover mouth when you cough, cover your sneeze, and if you are sick you need to stay home.”
Texas Department of State Health Services