Worried Well/Worried Sick and
the Swine Flu
Smithtown, New York - Health and hospital
officials urge local residents to help better manage the response
to the novel H1N1 Influenza virus. The Health Emergency Response
Data System (HERDS) advises not seeking hospital or
emergency room treatment, unless necessary as novel
H1N1 infuenza (swine flu) spreads in Suffolk County.
Advice from medical experts for people who are experiencing
flu-like illness and wonder whether they should seek medical
care is:
- For most individuals, H1N1 will be no worse than the
seasonal flu.
- Most people recover from seasonal or H1N1, without needing
medical treatment.
- Most flu patients can be cared for best at home, thus
helping to keep Emergency Department treatment for people
who truly need it.
- In addition to caring for people with severe novel H1N1
flu, local hospitals still have to manage their regular
patient caseload.
Seasonal flu is caused by different flu viruses versus novel
H1N1 influenza, which first appeared in the United States
in April, 2009. Seasonal flu occurs every year, starting
in the fall and lasting through spring. Certain people are
at “high risk” of serious complications from
seasonal influenza. This includes people 65 years and older,
children younger than five, pregnant women and people of
any age with certain chronic medical conditions. “Because
flu viruses change each year, annual vaccines are important,”
states James Clyne, Jr., Executive Deputy Commissioner at
New York state Department of Health. “It takes about
two weeks after vaccination to develop protection. The best
time to get vaccinated is early fall through December. But
you can still get a flu shot or the flu spray vaccine through
March and beyond. Flu season usually peaks in February,
but, can continue through May. Any protection against the
flu is better than no protection!”
When someone who does not actually have the flu or is mildly
sick comes to a hospital emergency department, the person
could contract the flu from someone there. The individual
could then spread the flu to others. The individual could
delay important health care for seriously ill persons waiting
to be treated. Flu-like illness includes fever, chills, headache,
cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, tiredness, and
sometimes diarrhea or vomiting.
When caring for individuals at home, give them medications
such as acetaminophen to help reduce fever, and make sure
they get rest and plenty of fluids. Individuals under age
19 should never be given aspirin to reduce pain or fever,
because it could cause a rare, but potentially serious condition
called Reye’s Syndrome. Individuals who are sick should
stay at home until fever has disappeared for at least 24 hours,
without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
When You Should Seek Medical Attention
Some people should get medical care, if they have the flu.
People who have conditions that may result in more severe
illness from influenza should call or see their health care
provider if they have flu symptoms. These people include women
who are pregnant, children younger than 5, persons 65 and
older, and persons of any age who have a medical condition
such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma. Their health care
providers may decide to prescribe medications for the flu.
Flu patients who become dehydrated require medical intervention.
Parents should be aware that children can become dehydrated
in a short period of time. Symptoms to be concerned about
are dry mouth and tongue, lack of tears, dark circles or sunken
eyes, decreased urine output and lethargy (extreme drowsiness
or pronounced lack of interest in their surroundings). If
these circumstances occur, call your health care provider.
Get emergency care, if your health care provider cannot be
reached. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency care
in the event of severe or worsening illness.
In adults, the signs of severe or worsening illness are:
rapid breathing, difficulty breathing; pain or pressure in
the chest or abdomen, bluish skin color, dizziness or confusion,
increasing fever or severe persistent vomiting. In children,
the signs of severe or worsening illness include: increased
fever, rash, rapid or difficult breathing, bluish skin color,
irritability, lack of responsiveness (not waking up or not
interacting) and not drinking enough fluids.
If you are caring for a household member at home who is sick
with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself
and others are: Keep the sick person away from people as much
as possible. Remind the sick person to cover when coughing,
and frequently wash their hands with soap and water or use
an alcohol-based hand rub, especially after coughing and/or
sneezing. Have everyone in the household clean their hands
often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Ask your health care provider, if household contacts of the
sick person, particularly those contacts who may be pregnant
or have chronic health conditions, should take antiviral medications
to prevent the flu. If you are considered at high risk for
complications from influenza, you should attempt to avoid
close contact (within six feet) with household members who
are sick with influenza. If close contact with a sick individual
is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask, if available.
More information on novel H1N1 influenza and taking care of
an H1N1 flu patient at home is available at http://www.nyhealth.gov"
and http://www.cdc.gov"
Additional information is also available at www.chsli.org,
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
, www.mercymedicalcenter.org
, www.stcatherinemedicalcenter.org,
www.stcharleshospital.org
and www.stfrancisheartcenter.com
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