LAKEWOOD, NJ --- As local schools open back up, the prospect of catching swine flu and seasonal flu are looming. There are several precautions you can take this fall to keep your family healthy.
Swine Flu, H1N1, can spread from person to person in the same fashion as seasonal influenza. The influenza virus is active in droplets produced by coughing and sneezing. This does not mean that the air is saturated with the virus; simply that you should keep a distance from people who are sneezing and coughing. People may also become infected by touching something with the virus on it (such as a counter top or door knob) and then by touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza and may include: general weakness, fever, loss of appetite, coughing and sneezing. Some symptoms associated with confirmed cases of swine flu have included runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The incubation period is 1-3 days for most influenza A viruses. It is possible for persons with swine flu to be contagious for up to 7 days after showing signs and symptoms of the swine flu. Anyone who is ill longer than 7 days should be considered contagious and should avoid contact with other people until the illness is resolved. Children may also be contagious for longer periods of time. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends people with swine flu symptoms remain home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, without the use of fever reducing medicine. A fever is defined as having a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or greater.
Here are several steps you can take to keep healthy:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, or cough into your sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs are easily spread this way.
- Wash your hands often and after you sneeze. Use hand sanitizer when unable to wash your hands.
- Give each member of the household their own hand towel. Use different colors to help children to identify their own.
- Use child-friendly soap to encourage them to wash their hands frequently and teach them to lather up their hands in the soap while singing the Happy Birthday song three times.
- Keep a safe distance from person who is sneezing and coughing.
- If you are ill with the swine flu virus, stay home to avoid infecting others.
Any strain of influenza, including H1N1, can produce deaths, usually in those who have underdeveloped immune systems (such as infants and very young children) and those with weakened immune systems (such as the elderly or those with prior immune deficiencies). According to the CDC, from April 15, 2009 to July 24, 2009, there were 43,771 confirmed and probable cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection. Of these cases reported, 5,011 people were hospitalized and 302 people died.
As with any virus, there is no cure; however treatment is available for severe cases.
For more information about H1N1, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or the New Jersey Department of Health at www.state.nj.us/heath.er.swineflu.
To schedule an appointment with a primary care physician on staff at Kimball Medical Center, please call the Saint Barnabas Health Care Link at 888-724-7123.
Date: September 8, 2009
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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