So much information circulates concerning the "swine 'flu" that people are confused. This article will attempt to consolidate and clarify the information. "Swine 'flu" is the name given to the H1N1 strain of influenza. It essentially has the same symptoms as the usual seasonal 'flu, including: fever, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The main difference in the types of 'flu is in what portion of the population is likely to suffer serious complications.

Those with the highest risk of complications from the SEASONAL 'FLU are children under 5 years old, people 65 and over, pregnant women and those with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

Conversely, the SWINE 'FLU (H1N1) is more likely to cause severe complications in younger adults, especially those under 25 years of age. In addition to those at risk with the medical conditions listed above, H1N1 may cause increased risk of complications in those with suppressed immune systems, or with neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.

Disease prevention is always the best policy. The Center for Disease Control suggests the following steps to protect your health:

o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away.

o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. (Check label for percentage of alcohol. It must be 60% or more to be effective.)

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread through these organs.

o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

o If you are sick with 'flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine) except to get medical care or other necessities. Keep away from others as much as possible in order to keep from making others sick.

Warning signs which require URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION are:

IN CHILDREN:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish or gray skin color, not drinking enough fluids, severe or persistent vomiting, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, 'flu-ike symptoms which improve but then return with fever and worse cough

IN ADULTS:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, 'flu-like symptoms which improve but then return with fever and worse cough

[Sept. 2009] The vaccine for H1N1 is currently being prepared and will likely be available to those considered to be at high risk later this fall. Stay tuned to the media for information, as it becomes available. And, feel free to call your parish nurses, Nicki or Kristen, at (314) 837-1090.

(The information contained in this article comes directly from the website of the CDC: www.cdc.gov)

In His Service,
Nicki Reynolds, RN