Cases of influenza are now occurring in our community.  H1N1 influenza (previously called swine flu) cannot be easily confirmed but we must assume influenza currently being seen is H1N1 flu.  We do not see seasonal flu this early in the fall.

As a reminder, symptoms of influenza typically include fever, cough, and sore throat. Additional symptoms may include headache, chills, fatigue and body aches.

Anyone with these symptoms should protect themselves and others by:

·                 Staying home from work or school and limiting their contact with others to keep from infecting them (*see below for how long you should remain at home). 

·                 Calling their health care provider before seeking care so that the necessary infection control measures can be put in place upon their arrival. ** See information from the Centers for Disease Control below for when medical treatment for flu is indicated.

·                 Covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash immediately,

·                 Washing their hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze.

·                 Limiting close contact with sick people.

·                 Preventing the spread of germs by not touching eyes, nose, or mouth.

*Individuals who are not healthcare workers can return to work and students can return to school when they have been without fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine.   Healthcare workers should contact their employer for instruction before returning to work. 

**What should I do if I get sick?      

         Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu. However, some people are more likely to get flu complications and they should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms this season. They are:

• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have:
• Cancer
• Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
• Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
• Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)

Also, it’s possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider.

There are emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should get medical care right away.

What are the emergency warning signs?

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• 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
• Fever with a rash

In adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.