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Second Swine Flu Death Reported In N.Ky.
Web Produced By: Ian Preuth
Email: ian.preuth@wcpo.com
Last Update: 3:12 pm
A second person from Northern Kentucky has died from the swine flu, according to the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
Health officials say the Kenton County woman was in her 60s who had underlying health problems prior to her death. She is the second woman from Kenton County to die from complications of the H1N1 virus. On Tuesday, officials announced a woman in her 50s died from the swine flu.
"Our thoughts go out to the individual's family," said Steven R. Katkowsky, M.D., District Director of Health. "The two reported flu deaths this week, while unrelated, is an unfortunate reminder of how serious influenza can be."
In Kentucky, 18 deaths have been reported, including the two in Northern Kentucky.
To prevent the spread of swine flu, the CDC recommends that individuals:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Get a swine flu vaccine when it becomes available.
"Vaccination is one of the best measures that we can take to prevent the flu," Katkowsky said. "The Health Department has distributed more than 17,000 doses of vaccine to local medical providers, and will soon announce details for public vaccination clinics. While vaccine supplies have been limited thus far, we hope to be able to reach more people in the coming weeks to provide protection against the virus."
In most instances, swine flu can be treated at home with fever-reducing medication, rest and liquids. Certain symptoms signal a more serious infection and require immediate attention. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* 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, 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 or confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
For more information on swine flu, please visit http://www.nkyhealth.org or call the Health Department's swine flu information line at 859.392.0678.
Second Swine Flu Death Reported In N.Ky.
Web Produced By: Ian Preuth
Email: ian.preuth@wcpo.com
Last Update: 3:12 pm
A second person from Northern Kentucky has died from the swine flu, according to the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
Health officials say the Kenton County woman was in her 60s who had underlying health problems prior to her death. She is the second woman from Kenton County to die from complications of the H1N1 virus. On Tuesday, officials announced a woman in her 50s died from the swine flu.
"Our thoughts go out to the individual's family," said Steven R. Katkowsky, M.D., District Director of Health. "The two reported flu deaths this week, while unrelated, is an unfortunate reminder of how serious influenza can be."
In Kentucky, 18 deaths have been reported, including the two in Northern Kentucky.
To prevent the spread of swine flu, the CDC recommends that individuals:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Get a swine flu vaccine when it becomes available.
"Vaccination is one of the best measures that we can take to prevent the flu," Katkowsky said. "The Health Department has distributed more than 17,000 doses of vaccine to local medical providers, and will soon announce details for public vaccination clinics. While vaccine supplies have been limited thus far, we hope to be able to reach more people in the coming weeks to provide protection against the virus."
In most instances, swine flu can be treated at home with fever-reducing medication, rest and liquids. Certain symptoms signal a more serious infection and require immediate attention. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* 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, 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 or confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
For more information on swine flu, please visit http://www.nkyhealth.org or call the Health Department's swine flu information line at 859.392.0678.