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Source: http://www.gainesville.com/article/...rd-swine-flu-death-reported-in-Alachua-County
Third swine flu death reported in Alachua County
By Lillian Guevara-Castro
Staff writer
Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
The Alachua County Health Department (ACHD) has received notification of a swine flu related death in a 41-year-old female resident of Alachua County, the third H1N1 confirmed death in the county.
The woman, who had other underlying health conditions, presented at a local physician's office in late August and battled illness until her death in late September.
"The way the state is reporting swine flu deaths is that it may not be the main cause of death," said Paul Myers, assistant director of the Alachua County Health Department.
"The primary cause of death may have been something else but she was infected with swine flu."
While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions. Pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals react to the flu.
The county health department stopped counting confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu in mid-August. Officials there say 60 percent to 80 percent of people who are presenting with influenza-like illnesses are testing positive for the flu. Of those, 99 percent are testing positive for swine flu, said Myers.
"H1N1 has replaced all other circulating influenza viruses. It's the only one we're seeing right now," Myers said.
What is making this disease somewhat different than the seasonal influenza is that the 25- to 49-year-old age group is the one where the deaths are the highest throughout the state, he said.
The flu season typically runs from early December to early March. This year, the health department saw its first confirmed case on May 1 and activity has continued to increase throughout the summer.
"We want to stress that this virus so far is behaving very much like the seasonal flu (in that) it is a mild illness," said Myers.
Influenza is characterized by a fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit accompanied with a cough and or sneezing. Some infected individuals may also experience a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
Citizens are urged to stay home and away from others if they are ill, cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard it, or into their sleeve if tissues are not available. They should also stay away from others that are ill. If they require medical attention, they should contact their medical provider for instructions prior to presenting at their office or clinic.
"Our deepest sympathies are extended to family and friends," said Jean Munden, administrator of the Alachua County Health Department. "We continue to receive and investigate reports of flu transmission in the county and urge citizens to exercise precautions against infection."
Third swine flu death reported in Alachua County
By Lillian Guevara-Castro
Staff writer
Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
The Alachua County Health Department (ACHD) has received notification of a swine flu related death in a 41-year-old female resident of Alachua County, the third H1N1 confirmed death in the county.
The woman, who had other underlying health conditions, presented at a local physician's office in late August and battled illness until her death in late September.
"The way the state is reporting swine flu deaths is that it may not be the main cause of death," said Paul Myers, assistant director of the Alachua County Health Department.
"The primary cause of death may have been something else but she was infected with swine flu."
While most cases of H1N1 Swine Flu are mild, there are exceptions. Pre-existing health conditions often play a role in how individuals react to the flu.
The county health department stopped counting confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu in mid-August. Officials there say 60 percent to 80 percent of people who are presenting with influenza-like illnesses are testing positive for the flu. Of those, 99 percent are testing positive for swine flu, said Myers.
"H1N1 has replaced all other circulating influenza viruses. It's the only one we're seeing right now," Myers said.
What is making this disease somewhat different than the seasonal influenza is that the 25- to 49-year-old age group is the one where the deaths are the highest throughout the state, he said.
The flu season typically runs from early December to early March. This year, the health department saw its first confirmed case on May 1 and activity has continued to increase throughout the summer.
"We want to stress that this virus so far is behaving very much like the seasonal flu (in that) it is a mild illness," said Myers.
Influenza is characterized by a fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit accompanied with a cough and or sneezing. Some infected individuals may also experience a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
Citizens are urged to stay home and away from others if they are ill, cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard it, or into their sleeve if tissues are not available. They should also stay away from others that are ill. If they require medical attention, they should contact their medical provider for instructions prior to presenting at their office or clinic.
"Our deepest sympathies are extended to family and friends," said Jean Munden, administrator of the Alachua County Health Department. "We continue to receive and investigate reports of flu transmission in the county and urge citizens to exercise precautions against infection."