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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Updates from Dean
May 7, 2009
With the scope of the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak spreading and changing so rapidly, Dean has put precautions in place at all of its medical locations, is following all Centers for Disease Control guidelines, and is closely monitoring the situation for the safety of its patients and staff.
Here are key pieces of information on the symptoms of swine flu, how to keep healthy and what to do if you are sick. Please check back regularly for updates.
Symptoms of Swine Flu in Affected Communities
In communities where swine flu is occurring (based on information from state and local health departments), a suspected case of swine flu is one where the person has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, and at least one of the following symptoms:
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
Symptoms of Swine Flu in Unaffected Communities
In communities where swine flu is not occurring (based on information from state and local health departments), a suspected case of swine flu is one where the person has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, and at least one of the following symptoms:
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
AND
• Close contact within 7 days with a person who is a confirmed, probable or suspected case of swine flu, or
• Travel to a community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed swine flu cases within 7 days
Groups at High Risk for Complications
Currently, insufficient data are available to determine who is at higher risk for complications of H1N1 virus infection. Thus, at this time, the same age and risk groups who are at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications should also be considered at higher risk for swine-origin influenza complications. Groups at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications include:
• Children less than 5 years old
• Persons aged 65 years or older
• Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
• Pregnant women
• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
• Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
Medical Care for Patients with H1N1 Virus
Not all patients with suspected H1N1 infection need to be seen by a health care provider. Patients with severe illness and those at high risk for complications from influenza (see list above) should contact their medical provider or seek medical care.
Quicker Confirmation for Cases Expected Due to Increase in Testing Capacity
The CDC has developed diagnostic test kits to detect H1N1 (swine) flu virus, and has now distributed these kits to all states in the U.S. This will allow states to test for this new virus and confirm cases more quickly.
Given the shorter time frame that will likely result between specimen submission and diagnosis, it may appear that the outbreak is dramatically increasing in Wisconsin. Note that the streamlined process will partially be responsible for the increase in confirmed cases.
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
• The primary way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Avoid close contact with other people with flu-like symptoms.
• Teach your children these basic safety guidelines.
If You Have General Flu-related Questions
• Contact the United Way Wisconsin Hotline by dialing 211 on your phone. Or, visit pandemic.wisconsin.gov.
If You Get Sick
• Contact your primary care doctor (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine or Pediatrics ) to discuss current recommendations.
• You may also call Dean on Call, which is available 24 hours a day. If you are in the Madison area, call (608) 250-1393. If you are outside the Madison area, call 1-800-57-NURSE (1-800-576-8773).
• If you have a fever with respiratory symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• If you have severe symptoms, immediately contact your doctor or Dean on Call, or go to Urgent Care.
Frequent Questions
Q: I had a flu shot last fall. Am I protected?
A: No. All indications are that this is a new virus strain and the regular seasonal vaccines are ineffective.
Q: Why is this flu different than other types of flu?
A: This is a new strain of flu, so no one has antibodies. Also, last fall's flu shot is ineffective for this strain.
Q: I have a trip planned to Mexico. Should I still go?
A: The CDC has issued travel advisory for certain areas. For the most up-to-date information, please go to the CDC Travel Advisory Web Site.
Q: If I don’t have flu symptoms, should I be concerned about coming into a Dean clinic?
A: The CDC guidelines do not at all suggest delaying or deferring any care based on risk of exposure to swine flu at this point.
Q: I heard that the World Health Organization made this a Level 5 Alert. What does this mean?
A: Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
Here is information about other WHO phase levels.
For More Information
National Resource: For the latest information on swine flu visit the CDC Swine Flu Web Resource. (información en español)
Wisconsin Resource: For the latest information specific to Wisconsin, visit pandemic.wisconsin.gov, developed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Also, see our recommended Flu Resources for more information about flu and being healthy during the flu season.
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