As families gather to celebrate the season, often traveling great
 distances
to be together, exposure to germs and disease is increased.When
Rowe Hudson woke up with a cough one Saturday morning
in September, he thought it was strange.
By Sunday night, Rowe, Program Director for Lee Health Solutions,
had a 101-degree fever. He went to the doctor Monday and was
diagnosed with the novel H1N1 virus, commonly known as “swine flu.”
“I was a little nervous, but, really, I’ve had worse seasonal flu in
the past,” Rowe says.”They put me on TAMIFLU® and by Tuesday, my
fever was gone.”
Most people will fare no worse with swine flu than they would
with seasonal flu, says Dr. Esther Morrison, an infectious disease
specialist. “However, some people, like pregnant women, school-agree
children and young adults seem to be hit harder. Young adults, who
typically fare pretty well during traditional flu season, seem to be
more susceptible to this virus,” Dr. Morrison says.
Swine flu is treated the same way as seasonal flu, but it can get
worse if left untreated. Here are Dr. Morrison’s tips to avoid swine
flu spread:
High-risk individuals—infants and toddlers up to 24-year-olds,
pregnant women, and patients with preexisting health issues—should
get the nH1N1 vaccination. “It is safe and very reliable.
I’ve taken it,” Dr. Morrison says.
• Be vigilant about washing your hands and not touching your nose
or mouth if you have not recently washed.
• Do not go out in public when ill.
• If you do get swine flu, stay in a secluded room in your home.
Wear a surgical mask if you need to leave the room to protect other
family members.
• Do not visit a patient in the hospital if you are sick.
Once the fever has cleared, keep an eye on any lingering
symptoms. About two weeks after Rowe’s nH1N1 virus cleared up, he
said he noticed his lingering cough had started to worsen. He went
back to the doctor, where they discovered that he had a bacterial
infection that had developed from the virus. “They gave me 10 days
of an antibiotic, and it was gone,” he says.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and need to find a
physician,
click here. |
