Cincinnati elderly and H1N1 swine flu

November 4, 1:22 PMCincinnati Elder Care ExaminerRon Liggett

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Cincinnati Elder Care Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

A recent California study indicates those 50 and older have the highest percentage of deaths of any age group that are hospitalized for H1N1 flu. In the U.S., healthy elderly contracting H1NI swine influenza have the lowest death rate overall.  Elderly are among those groups specified by the CDC as “high risk” for serious complications due to H1N1.

Cincinnati’s first death due to swine flu was confirmed on June 29, 2009.
The World Health Organization has declared swine flu to be pandemic. It is spreading throughout the U.S. at present and all age groups are at risk of contracting H1N1.

Symptoms of H1N1 are very much like any flu: coughing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, headache, body aches, fever, sore throat, fatigue, chills, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea.

Key to escaping deadly effects of H1N1 is prevention. The most effective prevention is vaccination. A recent study indicates vaccinations reduce the risk of serious flu symptoms by 60%. Other prevention measures include basic hygiene (i.e. regular hand washing and daily bathing), maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding face to face contact with those who have already contracted the disease.