As H1N1 spreads concerns rise

Concerns over the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 continue to grow as we officially start an earlier than expected flu season. There are now officially more than a million reported confirmed cases of the H1N1 in the United States alone, and while that number continues to climb, so does the number of deaths. The H1N1 Flu Summit and the Center for Disease Control has issued warnings and statements about the H1N1 in order to help people become educated and aware of how the H1N1 is different from other flu‘s.

People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu virus may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials. Provided courtesy of the Center For Disease and Control.

With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65. Provided courtesy of the Center For Disease and Control.

On September 17th 2009, President Obama issued an official public release from the White House addressing the concern over the H1N1 Virus, and the intention to act aggressively in providing vaccinations for the virus. There is international recognition of the devastating numbers of affected persons, and the number of those who have died continues to climb as the virus spreads across international borders. Click here to see the full press release.

Since it is impossible to completely eliminate the possibility that you could be affected by a flu, here are some suggestions that you can use to prevent becoming ill.

• Avoid crowded gatherings, such as company parties. At these events, you shake hands then turn to your plate of finger food, and then shake someone elses hand. it’s a vicious cycle, and its only inviting illness.
• Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often, after handling doors, ATM machines, before handling food and more. Hand sanitizer is a great way to head off germs when you don’t have access to a sink.
• Clean desks or table with spray sanitizers. This can help prevent infection. Rhinoviruses that cause colds can live on table surfaces for more than three hours.
• If you‘re sick, call in sick. Nobody expects you to be the all out perfect soldier this flu season, because the truth is they would prefer if you stayed home and nurse yourself back to health instead of sharing your germs.

  Click Here for more information on why the H1N1 is still a concern

  Click Here and you can track cases to see if there are confirmed cases of the swine flu in your area.

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