http://www.lasallecounty.org/hd/index.htm
?LaSalle County Notified of First Death Due to H1N1 Influenza?
OTTAWA, IL - LaSalle County Health Department is deeply saddened to announce we have received notification of our first death due to the H1N1 influenza virus. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed that a LaSalle County resident has been identified as a case of H1N1 influenza. According to lab results, the LaSalle County resident is a 18 year old female who had died from complications of the H1N1 influenza virus. The woman had underlying medical conditions which contributed to her death. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the release of any additional information.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently raised their warning level declaring a pandemic for the first time in over 40 years. In response, the LaSalle County Health Department will continue to work closely with IDPH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Health Department staff are actively monitoring and responding to H1N1 cases. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
The CDC has determined that the H1N1 influenza is contagious and is spread from human to human. Spread of H1N1 influenza is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people becomeinfected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu. If you have symptoms such as fever (100.4 or higher), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, stay home and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them. A significant number of people have reported vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone experiencing severe flu-like symptoms should contact a medical professional right away.
Like seasonal influenza, some people may be at greater risk of serious complications related to novel H1N1 infection and illness. People who are at high risk of serious seasonal flu-related complications include pregnant women, children younger than 5 years-old, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65-years and older. Examples of chronic medical conditions include diabetes, asthma, heart disease and lung disease. Individuals with underlying conditions should contact their physician at the onset of illness and not wait for severe illness. Antiviral medications are most effective if given in the first 24 to 48 hours and there is the possibility antivirals can be prescribed to individuals at risk as a preventive measure.
People who become sick with a flu-like illness should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
The LaSalle County Health Department would like to remind the community that it is important for everyone to be vigilant and take a shared responsibility to minimize the risk of spreading this respiratory disease and to protect themselves. To prevent the spread of flu, take the following precautions:
CLEAN - wash your hands
COVER - your cough and sneeze
CONTAIN - contain your germs - stay home if you are sick.
The following websites, www.lasallecounty.org/np/hd, will be kept up-to-date with information from the CDC www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu and Illinois Department of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/swine_flu/index.htm. People who have questions about H1N1 influenza can call the Illinois flu hotline at 866-848-2094 for English and 866-241-2138 for Spanish. The hotline currently operates from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
?LaSalle County Notified of First Death Due to H1N1 Influenza?
OTTAWA, IL - LaSalle County Health Department is deeply saddened to announce we have received notification of our first death due to the H1N1 influenza virus. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed that a LaSalle County resident has been identified as a case of H1N1 influenza. According to lab results, the LaSalle County resident is a 18 year old female who had died from complications of the H1N1 influenza virus. The woman had underlying medical conditions which contributed to her death. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the release of any additional information.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently raised their warning level declaring a pandemic for the first time in over 40 years. In response, the LaSalle County Health Department will continue to work closely with IDPH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Health Department staff are actively monitoring and responding to H1N1 cases. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself and your family.
The CDC has determined that the H1N1 influenza is contagious and is spread from human to human. Spread of H1N1 influenza is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people becomeinfected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu. If you have symptoms such as fever (100.4 or higher), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, stay home and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them. A significant number of people have reported vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone experiencing severe flu-like symptoms should contact a medical professional right away.
Like seasonal influenza, some people may be at greater risk of serious complications related to novel H1N1 infection and illness. People who are at high risk of serious seasonal flu-related complications include pregnant women, children younger than 5 years-old, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65-years and older. Examples of chronic medical conditions include diabetes, asthma, heart disease and lung disease. Individuals with underlying conditions should contact their physician at the onset of illness and not wait for severe illness. Antiviral medications are most effective if given in the first 24 to 48 hours and there is the possibility antivirals can be prescribed to individuals at risk as a preventive measure.
People who become sick with a flu-like illness should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
The LaSalle County Health Department would like to remind the community that it is important for everyone to be vigilant and take a shared responsibility to minimize the risk of spreading this respiratory disease and to protect themselves. To prevent the spread of flu, take the following precautions:
CLEAN - wash your hands
COVER - your cough and sneeze
CONTAIN - contain your germs - stay home if you are sick.
The following websites, www.lasallecounty.org/np/hd, will be kept up-to-date with information from the CDC www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu and Illinois Department of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/swine_flu/index.htm. People who have questions about H1N1 influenza can call the Illinois flu hotline at 866-848-2094 for English and 866-241-2138 for Spanish. The hotline currently operates from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.