April 27, 2009
Did you know...?
With the recent news of Swine Influenza outbreaks in Mexico and the United States we feel it is important to educate our clients about Swine Influenza and what to do if you or an employee may think you have become infected.
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A
influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally
get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
Are there human infections with swine flu in
the U.S.?
As of today, Monday April 27, 2009 there have been 40 cases reported in the United States: California – 7, Kansas - 2, NYC – 28, Ohio – 1, Texas -2. An updated case count of
confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm.
CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate
this situation.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and
is spreading from human to human.
How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the
same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person
to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes
people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and
then touching their mouth or nose.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are
everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause
respiratory illnesses like influenza. 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 touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu
in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular
human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills
and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with
swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying
chronic medical conditions.
What should I do if I get sick?
If
you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become
ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore
throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health
care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health
care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- 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
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment
and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral
drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight
against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you
get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better
faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment,
antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to
severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were
detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can
be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman
in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu
and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in
1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and
one death.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or
preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine
influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked
pork products is safe.
For more information about Swine Influenza visit the CDC web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
If you or an employee have symptoms or feel you need treatment, visit Adult Quick Care at one of our convenient locations:
1650 Broadway, Kansas City MO 64108 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm
19000 E. Eastland Center Court, Suite 300, Independence MO 64055 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 10pm
10415 Lackman Road, Lenexa KS 66219 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200, Kansas City KS 66102 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm
904 Edmond Street, St. Joseph MO 64501 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 7am – 5pm
6501 E. Commerce Ave, Suite 110, Kansas City MO 64120 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm
13830 S. US Highway 70, Grandview MO 64030 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm
No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.
816-559-6320 ♦ www.AdultQuickCare.com ♦ 816-559-6318 (fax)
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
To view the Tip of the Week in Spanish please visit our Tip of the Week library at http://www.ohscompcare.com/totw/. Please allow a few days for the current Tip of the Week to be translated and placed in to the library.
To learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has
to offer, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail
at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE has a physician on call 24/7/365 days a year to respond to our client's needs.
OHS-COMPCARE has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
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Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
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After Hours Available |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
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