Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Two Cases of H1N1 Virus Surface In Madison County
Posted: Sep 22, 2009 06:08 PM Press Release
MADISON COUNTY -
The number of cases of confirmed H1N1 influenza in Eastern Idaho continues to increase. Today, Eastern Idaho Public Health District (EIPHD) received confirmation of two positive H1N1 flu cases in Madison County. One was a student in Madison School District and the second is a BYU-Idaho Student. Both individuals have recovered. This brings the total number of H1N1 flu cases in EIPHD's eight-county area to 26. The other 24 cases have been in Bonneville County.
"We know that H1N1 flu is now in our communities and we expect to see cases continue to increase over the coming months," stated Richard Horne, Director of Eastern Idaho Public Health District. "The biggest thing people can do to help prevent the spread of the illness is to stay home when they are sick. They should also practice good hygiene by washing their hands frequently and covering their coughs and sneezes."
Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu cause the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, headache, and body aches. Some people infected with H1N1 flu also report nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in addition to the above symptoms. Infected people can spread the virus from one day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after symptoms start. Whether it is seasonal influenza or H1N1 influenza, most healthy people recover from the flu without problems and without seeing a health care provider by drinking lots of fluids, taking over the counter pain relievers to reduce fever and body aches, and by getting plenty of rest.
Even though there are 26 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in our health district, we suspect there is much more illness in the community that has not been confirmed. Unless a person is hospitalized or severely ill, works in a hospital setting, or is pregnant, confirmatory testing for H1N1 influenza is not necessary. Treatment for influenza is the same whether it is seasonal or H1N1.
However, certain people are at high risk for serious complications from H1N1, including:
Pregnant women
Children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
Adults between the ages of 25-64 years with medical conditions associated with higher risk of complications due to flu
If you become ill and have these emergency warning signs, you should call your health care provider immediately:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not urinating or no tears when crying
Severe or persistent vomiting
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Being very sleepy or confused, not waking up or interacting
Being so irritable that nothing makes the child feel better
Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach area
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and more severe cough
To help prevent the spread of influenza, people are encouraged to take everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause the flu and other illnesses. These actions include:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze or before eating. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Stay home when you are sick and do not send your child to school or childcare if they are sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home until the symptoms have disappeared. This includes having no fever for at least 24 hours without using medication to reduce the fever.
Cover your coughs and sneezes, either by coughing or sneezing into the inside of your elbow or sleeve to reduce the spread of germs or by using a tissue. Dispose of the tissue in the trash. Then make sure to wash your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Eastern Idaho Public Health District is expecting to begin receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine in late October. When vaccine is received, the health district will set up Point of Dispensing clinics throughout the health district for the priority groups. The H1N1 flu vaccine will be given free of charge through the health district. People can visit the health district's website at www.idaho.gov/phd7 for the most up to date information on H1N1 flu vaccinations in our district.
For more information about H1N1 Influenza, visit www.flu.gov, which includes information on how families, schools, businesses can plan and prepare for H1N1 flu. For the most up-to-date information on H1N1 cases in Idaho, visit www.flu.idaho.gov. People may also call Eastern Idaho Public Health District 533-3152 with questions about the H1N1 flu.
http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=11179361
Posted: Sep 22, 2009 06:08 PM Press Release
MADISON COUNTY -
The number of cases of confirmed H1N1 influenza in Eastern Idaho continues to increase. Today, Eastern Idaho Public Health District (EIPHD) received confirmation of two positive H1N1 flu cases in Madison County. One was a student in Madison School District and the second is a BYU-Idaho Student. Both individuals have recovered. This brings the total number of H1N1 flu cases in EIPHD's eight-county area to 26. The other 24 cases have been in Bonneville County.
"We know that H1N1 flu is now in our communities and we expect to see cases continue to increase over the coming months," stated Richard Horne, Director of Eastern Idaho Public Health District. "The biggest thing people can do to help prevent the spread of the illness is to stay home when they are sick. They should also practice good hygiene by washing their hands frequently and covering their coughs and sneezes."
Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu cause the following symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, headache, and body aches. Some people infected with H1N1 flu also report nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in addition to the above symptoms. Infected people can spread the virus from one day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after symptoms start. Whether it is seasonal influenza or H1N1 influenza, most healthy people recover from the flu without problems and without seeing a health care provider by drinking lots of fluids, taking over the counter pain relievers to reduce fever and body aches, and by getting plenty of rest.
Even though there are 26 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in our health district, we suspect there is much more illness in the community that has not been confirmed. Unless a person is hospitalized or severely ill, works in a hospital setting, or is pregnant, confirmatory testing for H1N1 influenza is not necessary. Treatment for influenza is the same whether it is seasonal or H1N1.
However, certain people are at high risk for serious complications from H1N1, including:
Pregnant women
Children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
Adults between the ages of 25-64 years with medical conditions associated with higher risk of complications due to flu
If you become ill and have these emergency warning signs, you should call your health care provider immediately:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not urinating or no tears when crying
Severe or persistent vomiting
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Being very sleepy or confused, not waking up or interacting
Being so irritable that nothing makes the child feel better
Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach area
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and more severe cough
To help prevent the spread of influenza, people are encouraged to take everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause the flu and other illnesses. These actions include:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze or before eating. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Stay home when you are sick and do not send your child to school or childcare if they are sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home until the symptoms have disappeared. This includes having no fever for at least 24 hours without using medication to reduce the fever.
Cover your coughs and sneezes, either by coughing or sneezing into the inside of your elbow or sleeve to reduce the spread of germs or by using a tissue. Dispose of the tissue in the trash. Then make sure to wash your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Eastern Idaho Public Health District is expecting to begin receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine in late October. When vaccine is received, the health district will set up Point of Dispensing clinics throughout the health district for the priority groups. The H1N1 flu vaccine will be given free of charge through the health district. People can visit the health district's website at www.idaho.gov/phd7 for the most up to date information on H1N1 flu vaccinations in our district.
For more information about H1N1 Influenza, visit www.flu.gov, which includes information on how families, schools, businesses can plan and prepare for H1N1 flu. For the most up-to-date information on H1N1 cases in Idaho, visit www.flu.idaho.gov. People may also call Eastern Idaho Public Health District 533-3152 with questions about the H1N1 flu.
http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=11179361