H1N1 Flu outbreak Published May 4, 2009 By Capt. Warren Conrow 354th Medical Group EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Recently there have been a number of cases of swine flu--H1N1 or influenza A, reported in the media. The Department of Defense and all segments of the U.S. government are working along with our international partners to lessen the impact of the H1N1 flu outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported there have been 141 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, in the United States. There have been zero cases in Alaska, and appropriate Alaska State agencies are closely monitoring the situation. Of those cases in the continental United States, several patients have been hospitalized but only two deaths have been reported. The CDC issued a travel warning, http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx, recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. In addition, anyone with a cold or with flu symptoms and a fever should consider delaying travel overseas. The World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5. This means they have confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause "community-level" outbreaks and the likelihood of a pandemic has increased. This does not mean that we are facing a pandemic at this time. In addition to Mexico, confirmed cases have been identified in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, and suspect cases are being investigated in several other countries. Most people catch H1N1 flu the same way they catch the regular flu, by coming in contact with droplets from infected people after they sneeze or cough. This can occur by being in the path of a sneeze or cough or touching something that has those droplets on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. When people catch H1N1 flu they may have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue just like the regular flu. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. Previously, this flu also caused severe illness and death. As with the regular flu, people with chronic medical conditions are at risk for more severe illness. There is a medicine to treat H1N1 flu. Both Tamiflu® and Relenza® are effective against H1N1 flu. You can get these medicines from your doctor. If you have H1N1 flu and need treatment, treatment should start within two days after you begin to feel sick. However, the best treatment is prevention. There are a number of ways you and your family can reduce the risk of catching H1N1 flu: · Avoid people with the flu · Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner · Wash your hands before eating or touching your face, after touching surfaces that someone might have coughed or sneezed on, after going out into the community, and after caring for someone who has the flu or touching something that person may have touched If you or someone in your household are sick, there a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of passing H1N1 flu to others: · Stay home from work or school · Limit your contact with others · Cough and sneeze into disposable tissues · Throw these tissues away into a plastic bag, and limit exposure to the dirty tissues · Those with flu should use separate eating utensils that are washed in hot soapy water after each meal · Don't share objects like remote controls or pens · Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched (i.e., door knobs, remote controls, light switches and toilet handles). An effective disinfectant can be made using one-fourth cup of household bleach and one gallon of cold water. If you think you have H1N1 flu contact your health care provider. He or she will be able to determine if you need testing or treatment. If you experience any of the following warning signs seek emergency medical care right away: For children: -Fast breathing or difficulty breathing -Bluish skin color -Not drinking enough fluids and infrequent urination -Not waking up or being able to interact with others -Being so irritable that they do not want to be held -Flu symptoms that improve but then return with a worse cough and fever -Fever with a rash For adults: -Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath -Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen -Sudden dizziness -Confusion -Severe or persistent vomiting -Flu symptoms that improve but then return with a worse cough and fever Army, Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and Veterans Affairs medical facilities are prepared to care for anyone who is ill, with ample supplies of appropriate medications. You can contact your local appointment line to schedule an appointment with your primary care clinician if you have a fever and flu symptoms and desire to be seen. When entering a medical facility, look for the "Cover Your Cough" station. This is a station that provides tissues, hand sanitizer and masks in order to reduce the spread of infection. Utilize these items to stop the spread of infection to other patients and staff. More information is available at http://www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov/ and at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.