H1N1 -- Swine Flu Update

For the past several weeks, the Lourdes Health System has carefully monitored the recent outbreak or the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu. While additional cases may continue to be identified both locally and nationally for several weeks yet, for now it appears that a larger outbreak has been avoided. This is due in part to widespread educational efforts by federal, state and local health agencies and by healthcare systems such as Lourdes.

The recent situation was a good test of the Lourdes Health System's Pandemic Flu plans, and demonstrated our preparedness for future emergencies.

To reiterate a common message, the best way to protect yourself and others from the influenza virus or any other communicable disease is to practice good infection control habits such as frequent hand washing and staying home when you are sick.

As we continue to monitor the situation, following are important reminders about what to do if you develop influenza like symptoms, and links to Web sites with further information.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you or a loved one does become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, your first step is to call your health care provider or family doctor, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care, particularly if you have fall into a risk category (very young, very old, underlying medical conditions such as asthma, COPD, if you are pregnant, etc)

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

· Fast breathing or trouble breathing

· Bluish skin color

· Not drinking enough fluids

· Not waking up or not interacting

· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

· Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

· Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

· Sudden dizziness

· Confusion

· Severe or persistent vomiting

FAQ regarding Swine Flu from the CDC:

• http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001
• http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
• http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm

Burlington County N.J. Department of Health Swine Flu Information Hotline:

Dial 211 (in Burlington County Only)

Camden County N.J. Department of Health

• Swine Influenza and You (English): http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
• Swine Influenza and You (Spanish): http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/influenza_porcina_usted.htm
• Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use in Certain Community Settings Where Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission Has Been Detected: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm?s_cid=tw_epr_76
• Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance/
• Antiviral Drugs and Swine Influenza: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/antiviral_swine.htm

OTHER IMPORTANT REFERENCE LINKS:

CDC:

• Main Swine Flu Web Link: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
• Case Counts: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
• Guidance and Recommendations: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations
• Influenza General Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/
• Key Facts: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
• Seasonal Flu Overview: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

DHHS:

• Pandemic Flu: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html
• Federal and world response stages: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/federal/fedresponsestages.html
• Use of Pneumococcal Vaccine: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/vaccine/pneumococcal.html
• State-by-State Pandemic Planning and status: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/states/index.html#stateplans

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION:

• Confirmed H1N1 case count: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/
• Pandemic Alert System/Levels: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html
• Swine Flu Page: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html