Dopey Member
Post by doctork on May 2, 2009 16:47:54 GMT -5
Since there is so much in the news about Influenza Type A/H1N1, or swine flu, I thought it was worth a thread here. Lots of information out there, and it's sometimes hard to tell what you should worry about, and what actions to take.
The commonsense advice applies.
It's not really just a swine flu, and it is perfectly OK to eat pork, as thast won't give you the flu.
Frequent hand washing is the best defense, and hand sanitizers are a great idea too, especially in situations where you don't have soap and water readily available.
Cover your cough; use disposable tissues and put them in the trash (do not leave them in the airplane seat pocket!)
If you're sick stay home, and avoid crowds where sick people can cough and sneeze around you, or you can cough on them.
The N95 respirator is indeed the recommended device if you really need a mask - the flimsy surgical masks aren't very effective (and if you're really sick, you shouldn't be out and about anyway).
The CDC recommends up to 14 days closure of schools and day care if a case occurs there, depending on the extent and severity of H1N1 influenza in the area. This is because a sick person can remain contagious for 7 - 8 days after they get sick (and may be contagious the day before they get sick too).
There is a "Guidance for Airline Cabin Crew" regarding pax suspected of having swine flu - they are to be reported to the CDC quarantine station where the plane is expected to land (no need apparently to land in Boston when the flight was from Germany to DC, as happened with a United flight yesterday)
I won't try to post links because my computer has cookies that allow the sites to recognize me, but not you, as a member/subscriber. However, there is a lot of reliable info at:
CDC - their "physician resources for swine flu" is in not-too-technical language, and there is lots of consumer info also
American Medical Association - info for docs and patients
UpToDate has "Patient Information" on Influenza Symptoms & Treatment, and also on Prevention.
WHO (World Health Organization) - the global perspective
NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) publishes a daily email called "Physicians First Watch" - excellent but I'm not sure it will be available on the website for non-physicians (shows up for me OK, but the spies already know who I am!)
If I had to guess the future, I think this spring's round of swine flu will be far less severe than predicted, but when it reappears next fall in the normal flu season, it could be a real problem. The hope is that next year's flu vaccine can incorporate protection against Type A/H1N1; logistics & virology time lines make that a challenge.
Locally I know we have swine flu in Washington State, but it is not showing up on the CDC maps. CDC waits until their own lab confirms the A/H1N1 before they add a state to the "affected" list. I suspect that is the case with other states too. However, fortunately, most US patients seem to have a mild case of flu, not so serious as Mexico is reporting.
The commonsense advice applies.
It's not really just a swine flu, and it is perfectly OK to eat pork, as thast won't give you the flu.
Frequent hand washing is the best defense, and hand sanitizers are a great idea too, especially in situations where you don't have soap and water readily available.
Cover your cough; use disposable tissues and put them in the trash (do not leave them in the airplane seat pocket!)
If you're sick stay home, and avoid crowds where sick people can cough and sneeze around you, or you can cough on them.
The N95 respirator is indeed the recommended device if you really need a mask - the flimsy surgical masks aren't very effective (and if you're really sick, you shouldn't be out and about anyway).
The CDC recommends up to 14 days closure of schools and day care if a case occurs there, depending on the extent and severity of H1N1 influenza in the area. This is because a sick person can remain contagious for 7 - 8 days after they get sick (and may be contagious the day before they get sick too).
There is a "Guidance for Airline Cabin Crew" regarding pax suspected of having swine flu - they are to be reported to the CDC quarantine station where the plane is expected to land (no need apparently to land in Boston when the flight was from Germany to DC, as happened with a United flight yesterday)
I won't try to post links because my computer has cookies that allow the sites to recognize me, but not you, as a member/subscriber. However, there is a lot of reliable info at:
CDC - their "physician resources for swine flu" is in not-too-technical language, and there is lots of consumer info also
American Medical Association - info for docs and patients
UpToDate has "Patient Information" on Influenza Symptoms & Treatment, and also on Prevention.
WHO (World Health Organization) - the global perspective
NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) publishes a daily email called "Physicians First Watch" - excellent but I'm not sure it will be available on the website for non-physicians (shows up for me OK, but the spies already know who I am!)
If I had to guess the future, I think this spring's round of swine flu will be far less severe than predicted, but when it reappears next fall in the normal flu season, it could be a real problem. The hope is that next year's flu vaccine can incorporate protection against Type A/H1N1; logistics & virology time lines make that a challenge.
Locally I know we have swine flu in Washington State, but it is not showing up on the CDC maps. CDC waits until their own lab confirms the A/H1N1 before they add a state to the "affected" list. I suspect that is the case with other states too. However, fortunately, most US patients seem to have a mild case of flu, not so serious as Mexico is reporting.
