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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
FORT HOOD, Texas - The United States activated an emergency plan Sunday after the number of laboratory-confirmed human cases of swine influenza reached a total of 103 cases in Mexico and the United States.
Saturday there were 81 confirmed or suspected deaths attributed to the swine flu. The 40 confirmed U.S. swine flu cases range in age from 9 to over 50. All recovered or are recovering. There have been no American deaths.
News reports say President Barack Obama is concerned, but not alarmed.
Medical officials at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center are also concerned, and they believe effective action by the appropriate agencies, coupled with cooperation from the American public, will help contain this outbreak.
"At the moment, we should all be vigilant and take the recommended precautions," said Dr. Arthur Baker, deputy director of Darnall's Preventive Medicine division.
All providers in the CRDAMC clinics are on alert to recognize the symptoms of swine flu. They have been given step-by-step guidance on treatment measures. The Medical Center is enhancing its surveillance and reporting procedures as well.
Darnall's clinics have been stockpiled with facemasks and hand sanitizers to reduce human-to-human transmission. Receptionists have been informed to issue a mask to any patient that states they have flu-like symptoms. Providers have been instructed to culture selected patients with flu-like symptoms.
The doctors and Darnall's clinics have been advised to be extremely aware of patients who have the symptoms of the flu. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
The nation’s Center for Disease Control in Atlanta has determined this swine influenza virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. They include:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Or, sneeze into the crook of your elbow. In this way, the mucus is caught on cloth instead of on your hands from where it can spread.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also very effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth - germs spread that way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people. The coughed secretions are then inhaled by the uninfected person, who may then become sick.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school until no longer sick and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.
If you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and shortness of breath, please, visit your primary care manager.
If you have questions about the swine flu, you can contact the Texas Department of Health at 888-777-5320, or visit the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov.
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jim huddleston
17 Oct 2009, 19:31
What do I need to expect now that my child has spent the day with another
child that has been confirmed with h1n1? What is the likelyhood he will get
it and should I do anything before any symtoms show up? thanks
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