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Health officials: H1N1 flu remains mild, no worse than seasonal flu
Posted by Challen Stephens September 08, 2009 11:54 AM
HUNTSVILLE, AL --
The H1N1 flu virus, commonly known as swine flu, may have already affected about 1 million people nationwide, but it is now thought to be no more severe than seasonal influenza.
"It has remained a mild disease for most people," said Dr. Larry Robey, Madison County Health Officer, during a news conference in Huntsville this morning.
Robey said the state, as well as the Centers of Disease Control in Atlanta, have stopped counting the number of individual cases.
However, Robey said it was common to see an increase in contagious illnesses after school starts. "It's a normal part of life," said Robey.
He used the press conference to enforce four steps for reducing the spread of the flu, whether H1N1 or seasonal:
- If ill, stay home. Wait 24 hours until after the fever breaks before going out.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Stay away from those who are ill. Robey recommend at least six feet of distance.
- Seek the vaccination. The vaccine for seasonal flu is available, and the H1N1 vaccine should be available by the end of next month, he said.
Dr. John Higginbotham, emergency preparedness liaison for Madison County Medical Society, outlined a couple differences between H1N1 and seasonal flu.
So far, H1N1 has demonstrated a predilection for the young, he said during the press conference. About 80 percent of the H1N1 cases involve people under 24, and two thirds of the infected are under 18.
After the press conference, Higginbotham said that Alabama has between 600 to 700 confirmed cases of H1N1 and at least three related deaths. Although the state has stopped counting individual cases, he said, and the real figure could be significantly higher.
For example, Higginbotham said that a study last weekend at Huntsville Hospital found that of 25 people complaining of flu symptoms, about a quarter had H1N1.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Alabama is one of six states hardest hit by flu, including both H1N1 and seasonal strains. As of the end of August, the other states reporting "widespread" flu outbreaks were Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Alaska.
Maine and Rhode Island were the only two states reporting no flu activity.
To volunteer for the North Alabama Medical Reserve Corps, one of the entities handling the H1N1 vaccinations expected to arrive some time next month, contact the Madison County Medical Society at 256-881-7321 or visit the NAMRC website
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/09/health_officials_h1n1_flu_rema.html
Posted by Challen Stephens September 08, 2009 11:54 AM
HUNTSVILLE, AL --
The H1N1 flu virus, commonly known as swine flu, may have already affected about 1 million people nationwide, but it is now thought to be no more severe than seasonal influenza.
"It has remained a mild disease for most people," said Dr. Larry Robey, Madison County Health Officer, during a news conference in Huntsville this morning.
Robey said the state, as well as the Centers of Disease Control in Atlanta, have stopped counting the number of individual cases.
However, Robey said it was common to see an increase in contagious illnesses after school starts. "It's a normal part of life," said Robey.
He used the press conference to enforce four steps for reducing the spread of the flu, whether H1N1 or seasonal:
- If ill, stay home. Wait 24 hours until after the fever breaks before going out.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Stay away from those who are ill. Robey recommend at least six feet of distance.
- Seek the vaccination. The vaccine for seasonal flu is available, and the H1N1 vaccine should be available by the end of next month, he said.
Dr. John Higginbotham, emergency preparedness liaison for Madison County Medical Society, outlined a couple differences between H1N1 and seasonal flu.
So far, H1N1 has demonstrated a predilection for the young, he said during the press conference. About 80 percent of the H1N1 cases involve people under 24, and two thirds of the infected are under 18.
After the press conference, Higginbotham said that Alabama has between 600 to 700 confirmed cases of H1N1 and at least three related deaths. Although the state has stopped counting individual cases, he said, and the real figure could be significantly higher.
For example, Higginbotham said that a study last weekend at Huntsville Hospital found that of 25 people complaining of flu symptoms, about a quarter had H1N1.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Alabama is one of six states hardest hit by flu, including both H1N1 and seasonal strains. As of the end of August, the other states reporting "widespread" flu outbreaks were Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Alaska.
Maine and Rhode Island were the only two states reporting no flu activity.
To volunteer for the North Alabama Medical Reserve Corps, one of the entities handling the H1N1 vaccinations expected to arrive some time next month, contact the Madison County Medical Society at 256-881-7321 or visit the NAMRC website
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/09/health_officials_h1n1_flu_rema.html
