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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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June 23, 2009 |
A Publication of QVHD |
But It's Not Flu Season Yet!
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
Quinnipiack Valley Health
District (QVHD), the local health department for Bethany , Hamden ,
North Haven, and Woodbridge , understands that you may be worried about
the Swine Flu, now called Novel H1N1 Flu, especially when you hear about
school closings, children becoming ill and it being officially called a
pandemic.
FACT: There is now sustained human to human transmission within our
communities. What this means in plain language is that there is Novel
H1N1 flu illness that people are getting and it is being passed from
person to person. However, the good news is that so far, this illness
has been relatively mild and recovery has been pretty quick.
This means that individually, as a community and as a health district we
have to deal with its presence.
FACT: It is important to understand that while there is currently no
vaccine for Novel H1N1 flu, it can be prevented and there is treatment
for it. Many of the public health actions being taken are intended to
minimize the spread and prevent disease. (There is a company working on
a vaccine, but at this time, little can be said about it, except that it
is in development.)
FACT: The most important action that you can take at this time is to
stay home and away from others if you have symptoms of a flu-like
illness (called ILI .) The symptoms of ILI are a fever of 100 °F and a
cough or sore throat. Everyone with a flu-like illness should stay home
for 7 days after the onset of their symptoms or until 24 hours after
symptoms disappear, whichever if longer . Your medical provider should
be contacted for medical advice if you are very ill, particularly if you
are at higher risk of complications from influenza because of the
following underlying conditions: Pregnancy; Under the age of 5 years
(CDC guideline); Over the age of 65 years; Immunosuppression, including
that caused by medications or by HIV; or chronic lung (including
asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), kidney, liver, blood
(including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic
disorders or diseases (including diabetes mellitus.) If you or a family
member are at higher risk of complications of influenza (as noted above)
and you believe you have been in close contact with someone with
flu-like illness, you should contact your medical provider for advice.
You should not go to an emergency room unless your symptoms are
life-threatening, such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion;
or severe or persistent vomiting.
FACT: At this time, even if you think or know that you have had close
contact with a person with ILI and you are healthy, there is no need to
be excluded from school or group activities.
FACT: Because there is always illness in the environment, whether it is
a cold, flu or other type of infection, you should be conscious of your
personal health behaviors. You can take the following actions to protect
yourself from sickness: AVOID CLOSE CONTACT with people who are sick.
STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK . Stay home from work, school and doing
errands when you are sick. It is also not the time to go visiting
persons. COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. Dispose of the tissue in the trash. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN .
This is one of the most important actions you can take to protect
yourself from germs. AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE or MOUTH . Germs are
often spread when people touch something that is contaminated with germs
and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. PRACTICE OTHER GOOD HEALTH
HABITS . Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress,
drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
As health officials learn more about this illness and/or if this illness
should change in its severity or patterns, recommendations and
guidelines may change. You may be asked to take some actions that could
restrict your day-to-day activities. If this happens, remember that the
purpose of such actions is to prevent the further spread of the illness.
Actions that might be put into place include school and daycare
closings, camp closings, community event or facility closings,
restrictions on group gatherings, changes in the workplace setting and
limitations on visiting health care facilities (like nursing homes and
hospitals.)
For general information about Novel H1N1 (Swine) flu, visit
www.cdc.gov,
www.ct.gov/dph or
www.qvhd.org
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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