This is an important public health message from Community Voice Mail and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
CDC has confirmed additional human cases of H1N1 virus influenza (swine flu) infection in 19 states, bringing the total number of U.S. confirmed cases to 141, as of May 1 at 11:00am ET (see http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ for up-to-date information).
This message contains important information about swine flu, including ways to minimize your chance of infection and symptoms to look for.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
* Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Flu is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
* Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
Swine influenza, or flu, viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork products.
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. However, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like flu. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
* 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with flu, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Ill people who experience any of the following warning signs should seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
o Fast breathing or trouble breathing
o Bluish skin color
o Not drinking enough fluids
o Not waking up or not interacting
o Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
o Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
o Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
o Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
o Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
o Sudden dizziness
o Confusion
o Severe or persistent vomiting
CDC has created a Web page with more information and updates.
or call CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) in English or Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In Tulsa, you can contact the Health Department at http://www.tulsa-health.org/ or call the Health Department's Swine Flu Hotline at 595-4500.
Community Voice Mail will send additional information as we receive it from the CDC and as this health issue progresses. Please, tell your friends and acquaintances about this important information.
