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Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) UpdateCopley wants to help you be knowledgeable and prepared in case of a flu outbreak.
10/01/2009
Here are some steps you should take right away:
Get a seasonal and an H1N1 flu vaccine. Updated information regarding public clinics is available from the Vermont Department of Health by calling 2-1-1. Copley Hospital's clinics will be scheduled as we receive vaccine. You can call 802-888-8369 for the latest update.
Call your doctor if you have any questions or begin having any flu-like symptoms.Click here to view a "Decision Chart" tht provides more information about symptoms to help you decide whether or not to call your doctor.
In the meantime, here is some basic information to help you better understand H1N1 flu prevention, its symptoms and care:
The Vermont Department of Health's Web site continues to be a good resource for up-to-date information. http://healthvermont.gov
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has lots of information and resources on its Web sites. Specifically for H1N1 click on www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/. For general flu information, go to www.flu.gov.
About H1N1
Who’s at risk?
Among those at greater risk for contracting H1N1 are:
- Children and young adults, pregnant women, health care workers and people caring for children;
- Those who have chronic pulmonary (including those with a history of asthma), cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular or metabolic disorders; and
- Those who are immunosuppressed, including those on certain medications or who have AIDS.
The over-65 population is at lesser risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms include what you would see with the seasonal flu:
- Cough;
- Runny nose;
- Body aches;
- Sore throat;
- Fever; and
- Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
Transmission
H1N1 is transmitted two to three times more easily than seasonal flu.
A person who is sick with the flu can spread viruses. That means they are contagious. Adults are usually contagious from one day before having symptoms to seven days after getting sick. Children can be contagious for longer than seven days.
Prevention
There are several steps you can take to help prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu:
- Cover your mouth & nose every time you cough. Use a tissue or cough into your sleeve if a tissue is not available. Put the used tissue into the trash. The virus is spread by droplets, which can land on surfaces and remain alive for two hours;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer;
- Keep your hands away from your face;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
- Keep your immune system strong by getting enough rest, exercise and eating nutritious food; and
- Clean surfaces you touch often; such as door knobs, phones, water faucets, etc.
What to do if you become ill If you do not have any underlying medical conditions and develop symptoms of influenza:
- Get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquid (water), and use medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to relieve symptoms;
- Stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone (this means without using medications to reduce your fever);
- Cover your mouth & nose with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze;
- If you have to go out, wear a mask over your mouth and nose; and
- If you have questions or need advice, call your primary care provider.
Most people get well within one to two weeks. *Note: NEVER give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, especially fever, without first checking with your primary care physician.
If you do have an underlying medical condition, including asthma:
- Call your primary care provider soon after symptoms begin. You may be able to be treated with an antiviral medication, which is most effective within the first 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms.
What if a family member becomes ill?
If a family member becomes ill, it is likely you have already been exposed to the illness since people are contagious for about a day before showing any symptoms. You can minimize the likelihood of getting the virus by:
- Washing your hands frequently and not sharing eating or drinking utensils;
-Keep a distance of three feet from the person who is ill, is possible;
- If you have an underlying condition and a family member who is ill with the virus, contact your primary care physician. There may be medication that could futher decrease the likelihood of getting the flu.
Tips for Caring for an Ill Family Member at Home
- Try to keep the person who is sick in one part of the house, away from other family members. Keep the door shut if possible.
-If possible, have the ill person use a different bathroom than those who are not ill.
-Anyone who is sick should wear a surgical mask if near others; caregivers should wear a mask if within 6 feet of the infected person, especially if the person that is ill is NOT wearing one.
-If weather allows, keep a window open to help ventilate the home.
-Limit the number of people visiting the home.
-Wipe down surfaces in the bathroom and by the bed and toys for children with a household disinfectant according to the directions on the product label.
-Wash bed sheets, towels, eating utensils and dishes throughly before someone else uses them.
What else can you do?
-Stay informed.
-Take the steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
-If you become ill, stay home, away from work and other public places until you have been fever-free (without using medication) for 24 hours.
-Have supplies such as hand sanitizer, tissues, a thermometer and ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help treat symptoms should you become ill. You may consider having an extended supply of food and medicines on hand in case you have to stay home for an extended period. Planning checklists are available here, on the Vermont Department of Health's website.
-Don't worry more than you need to. Most people who contract H1N1 influenza deal well with the virus, like the seasonal flu.
Contact Information
Leah Hollenberger
Senior Director Development, Marketing & Public Relations
Copley Hospital
802-888-8301
lhollenberger@chsi.org
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