April 29, 2009

President Stroger promotes public education, prevention and treatment strategies for swine flu.

To protect yourself and your loved ones read these prevention tips.

Cook County continues to be diligent in its efforts towards preventing swine flu. There are ways you can prevent the flu – and important things you should do if you think you or a loved one might have the flu.

Our health care system, like health care providers across the nation, has been bombarded with questions about this illness. Take a look at the information below – and our internet links and phone numbers – to find out what you can do to protect yourself, what to do if you or a loved one comes down with the flu, and how to get more information.

Finally, I fought hard last year to make sure our health care system and public safety agencies had the revenue they need to provide vital services, by asking the County board to increase Cook County’s sales tax from three-quarters of a penny to 1.75 cents per dollar. Without the sales tax, we would have had to slash services at the very same health clinics, hospitals and other County agencies that are providing vital services today Raising the sales was a tough decision – and necessary, as we are being reminded today. Thank you.

What You Need To Know About the Swine Flu

What is Swine Flu? 
Swine flu is a viral respiratory infection caused by type A influenza viruses. It causes regular outbreaks in pigs, and sometimes can affect humans. Swine flu viruses can spread from person to person, and as of late April 2009, the current wave of swine flu has been identified in a growing number of states in the U.S., including Illinois. Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or more on surfaces like doorknobs, tables and desks. Frequent handwashing can reduce the chance of getting contamination.

What are the symptoms? 
According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms are similar to those of regular human flu, and can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. In the past, severe illnesses that include pneumonia and respiratory failure, as well have deaths, have been associated with this kind of flu, and fatalities have also been reported in this wave of swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may worsen underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread? 
Like seasonal flu, swine flu viruses typically spread largely from person to person through coughing or sneezing or by touching something that has flu viruses on it and then touching your mouth or nose. Infection may also be spread from one person to another before symptoms appear and during the life of the illness.

What can I do to avoid getting the flu? 
WASH YOUR HANDS. That gets the virus off your skin and helps prevent passing it from your hands to your face or mouth. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Cook Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. County has installed hand sanitizers in public areas in some of our buildings to remind people to keep their hands clean as a way to avoid infection. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink lots of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.

Besides washing my hands, what can I do to stay healthy? 
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also 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 person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I get sick? 
Most people who get swine flu will exhibit symptoms that range from mild to severe flu, and should take regular steps to treat the flu. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school, limit your contact with other people as much as possible – and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your hand when coughing or sneezing to help prevent those around you from getting sick. Contact your health care provider if you are worried about your symptoms and let them determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. To treat the flu, get plenty of bed rest, push fluids and take over-the-counter analgesics to keep down fever and OTC medicines to relieve symptoms.

The following symptoms, particularly in children and other at-risk populations, require IMMEDIATE medical attention: 
? fast breathing or trouble breathing; ? bluish skin color; ? not drinking enough fluids; ? not waking up or not interacting; ? high sensitivity or discomfort to being touched; ? 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.

How long can someone with swine flu spread it to others? 
7 to 10 days after the illness begins. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What are government officials doing to tackle this flu outbreak? 
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has implemented its emergency response, which is designed to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. CDC has issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

Locally, the Cook County Department of Public Health is working with the Cook County Health and Hospitals System – our network of neighborhood clinics and our three hospitals, Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital and Oak Forest Hospital – to monitor the incidence of the flu and get care and information to people who come down with the flu or want to avoid getting it. We’re also collaborating with the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health agencies like the Chicago Department of Public Health to track the spread of the flu and help people get information and care for themselves and their families.

Where can I get more information on swine flu? 
There are some great local and national websites with good information and breaking news about swine flu.

? The Cook County Department of Public Health: besides lots of general information and links, you can use this site to register for regular swine flu updates from the CDC. You can also call the department at 708-492-2000 or reach us via our TDD number at 708-492-2002. The department’s fax number is 708-492-2900 
www.cookcountypublichealth.org/swine_flu

? The Illinois Department of Public Health: influenza information page: breaking news on flu in Illinois, as well as tips for how to stay healthy, travel information, and department news. 
www.idph.state.il.us/flu/swine_flu_mex.htm

? CDC, The Center for Disease Control: the nation’s lead health department that is monitoring swine flu and working with state and local officials to tackle health care issues. 
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001