Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Update on H1N1 Flu
Posted: Tuesday, 25th August 2009 3:55PM
TYLER --
A local expert says a massive H1N1 outbreak is a real possibility in East Texas -- but response procedures from last spring remain in place, and they would be rolled out again. Dr. Jeffrey Levin is a professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Medicine at UT Health Science Center at Tyler. Levin says school districts have been responding, and health professionals are continuing to plan for such an outbreak on a regional level, in a bid to keep the damage to a minimum. According to Levin, in the event of an outbreak, health care personnel would be instructed on how to deal with patients and see that medications are available.
Levin also says there's a lot riding on patient responsibility. Drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, he says if you have the flu or a flu-like illness, don't go to work or to school; stay home until the symptoms of that illness resolve. Consulting with your health care provider to ensure proper management of your condition is also paramount, along with hand washing, symptom awareness, and vaccinations. For more information, Levin recommends the CDC Web site, http://www.cdc.gov, and http://www.dshs.state.tx.us, the Web site for the Texas Department of State Health Services.
http://www.ktbb.com/news/View.php?ArticleID=29811
Posted: Tuesday, 25th August 2009 3:55PM
TYLER --
A local expert says a massive H1N1 outbreak is a real possibility in East Texas -- but response procedures from last spring remain in place, and they would be rolled out again. Dr. Jeffrey Levin is a professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Medicine at UT Health Science Center at Tyler. Levin says school districts have been responding, and health professionals are continuing to plan for such an outbreak on a regional level, in a bid to keep the damage to a minimum. According to Levin, in the event of an outbreak, health care personnel would be instructed on how to deal with patients and see that medications are available.
Levin also says there's a lot riding on patient responsibility. Drawing on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, he says if you have the flu or a flu-like illness, don't go to work or to school; stay home until the symptoms of that illness resolve. Consulting with your health care provider to ensure proper management of your condition is also paramount, along with hand washing, symptom awareness, and vaccinations. For more information, Levin recommends the CDC Web site, http://www.cdc.gov, and http://www.dshs.state.tx.us, the Web site for the Texas Department of State Health Services.
http://www.ktbb.com/news/View.php?ArticleID=29811