Swine Flu Update: Stay vigilant as spread of flu continues
[image: H1n1 handwashing]<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/.a/6a00d83451e0d569e201156f9c38bc970c-pi>The
swine (H1N1) flu continues to spread, and despite being less severe
than
originally feared, it does appear to have a slightly higher death rate than
the seasonal flu, according to the CDC. The novel flu virus has claimed six
lives to date in the U.S., including three in Texas, one in Arizona, one in
Washington, and most recently one in New
York<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/nyregion/18swine.html?_r=2>
.
The latest reports <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm> show probable or
confirmed cases in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Meanwhile,
the travel
advisory<http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/travel-health-precaution/novel-h1n1-flu-mexico.aspx>for
Mexico has been downgraded by the CDC. As the situation there has
eased
in many places, the advisory to cancel all unessential travel, has been
replaced with a recommendation that people with high risk of severe
complications from flu, including young
children<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/swine-flu-flu-guidance-for-parents-treating-children-for-flu-tamiflu-relenza.html>,
seniors, pregnant
women<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/pregnancy-and-swine-flu.html>and
people
with underlying health
conditions<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/swine-flu-poses-extra-risks-to-people-with-chronic-disease-spread-of-swine-flu-swine-flu-prevention-.html>,
talk to their doctors before traveling there, to see if they should postpone
their trip.
The swine flu still appears to be a greater risk for those who have
underlying medical problems, but health officials also note that young
people are so far more likely to contract the flu, and that those under 20
years of age have been a disproportionately hospitalized for flu symptoms.
It still remains unknown if older people have some form of protection from
previous contact with a similar virus, or if its greater impact on the young
stems from the outbreak starting in those communities.
We’ll continue to follow the investigation, but for now, it still makes
sense for Americans to be engaged and practicing increased preventative
measures including:
- Washing your hands
often<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/swine-flu-lessons-learned-was-all-this-really-necessary-h1n1-swine-flu-safety-news-avoiding-swine-fl.html>with
soap and hot water, especially after sneezing, coughing, or close
contact with an infected person. Alcohol-based hand soaps, like Purell, can
also help when soap and water aren't an option.
- Cover your nose and
mouth<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/04/swine-flu-how-concerned-should-you-be.html>with
a tissue and dispose of it afterward, when sneezing or coughing; or
coughing into your elbow, if tissues aren’t nearby.
- Avoiding close contact with sick
people<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/buzzword-social-distancing-quarantine-swine-flu-h1n1-joe-biden.html>.
- Staying home from work or school if you or your
child<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/swine-flu-flu-guidance-for-parents-treating-children-for-flu-tamiflu-relenza.html>become
ill, and limiting your contact with others.
- Know the symptoms of a flu
emergency<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/how-do-you-know-if-its-a-swineflu-emergency-swine-flu-symptoms-emergency-room-uninsured-h1n1.html>.
You may also choose to take added precautions: of building an emergency
supply of food and
water<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/in-case-of-an-emergency-be-prepared-checklist-preparing-an-emergency-kit-.html>,
should the pandemic<http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/preparing-for-the-coming-swine-flu-pandemic-swine-flu-emergency-.html>take
a turn for the worse.
—*Kevin McCarthy, associate editor*
Link here -
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2009/05/swine-flu-update-stay-vigilant-as-spread-of-flu-continues-swine-flu-prevention-latest-news-on-h1n1.html
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