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Working through the swine flu
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The Massachusetts Department of Health has reported 1,436 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the state since the initial outbreak in April. And according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts is now one of 48 states considered to have widespread flu activity. While most swine flu cases are not severe, 63% of reported cases in the state have involved children under the age of 18 - forcing parents to take time out of work to care for sick kids.
Continue working
Remaining home for any period of time is difficult for working parents – especially in a rough economy. So be sure to work out an H1N1 plan with your boss. Even if your company doesn’t implement an official policy regarding the flu, you’ll want a strategy in place in case you or your kids become sick. Discuss working from home (either through a company-sponsored laptop or via your company’s dial-in server). Make sure you have access to work emails and phone numbers. Plan to bring enough work home to cover your absence. And consider working out a schedule with your spouse to alternate shifts with a sick child. If possible, talk to your boss about working different hours short-term.
Staying healthy
If your family has not received H1N1 shots yet, don’t panic. Health officials expect there will be enough doses of the vaccine to cover anyone who wants it. As of October 28, more than 400,000 doses of the vaccine had already shipped to Massachusetts.
High risk categories (pregnant women, care-givers of infants less than six months old, emergency personnel, children six months to four years old and individuals who suffer from chronic health disorders) will receive the initial vaccines. But vaccines will be available through health clinics, doctors’ offices, schools and pharmacies as quantities become available. Check your local CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens locations for available clinics in your area.
In the meantime, wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and stay home if you are sick. And remember to schedule an appointment for a seasonal flu shot to help prevent the spread of illness through the winter months.
Symptoms to watch for
The main symptoms of the flu include a fever over 100.4 degrees, cough and/or sore throat, headache, body aches, runny nose, chills and fatigue. Occasionally, diarrhea and vomiting may occur. To keep from spreading the virus, the CDC is recommending that people remain home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without a fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). Watch children for signs of recovery and then sudden relapse. If a child develops difficulty breathing or blueness around the lips, isn’t urinating or eating, or is severely lethargic or irritable, call your pediatrician immediately.
For more info: To learn more about the H1N1 virus, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or CDC websites. Additionally, Comcast subscribers can tune to Comcast “On Demand” for information on flu prevention and treatment. Search for “Flu Facts” under Searchlight/My Life on Demand.
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