The H1N1 Flu – Actions to Take

 

The flu season is here, and it’s not the seasonal flu that’s making people sick.  H1N1 continues to be the culprit in 99 percent of influenza cases currently seen, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  Evans Army Community Hospital’s emergency department, like most area hospitals, is seeing an increase in the number of people who visit with flu-like symptoms. 

While the emergency department is the best place to go for severe cases of illness, it is not the best place for non-urgent flu patients.

Colorado State’s chief medical officer, Doctor Ned Calonge, said in a September 29 news release that “people with uncomplicated flu illness who are not considered ‘high risk,’ based on age or underlying medical condition, do not need to be seen by a health care provider and do not need to be tested for H1N1.”

 H1N1 influenza, for most individuals, has been a mild illness lasting under a week.  Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.  While the symptoms can make a person feel miserable, most people recover at home with the aid of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for comfort and fever.  Those who can care for themselves and children who have a caregiver at home and have mild or moderate symptoms should remain at home until their symptoms have gone away for 24 hours, without the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen. 

 When those with mild to moderate illness or those who are well but think they’ve been exposed visit the emergency room it can adversely affect the care of those who are much more ill. 

 Lt. Col. Sean Keenan, chief of Emergency Medical Services at Evans Army Community Hospital said, “Many people with non-urgent problems presenting to the emergency department are causing extended waits and potentially compromising the safety and care of the truly urgent and serious patients who need our full attention and resources.” 

 When is it appropriate to visit the emergency room?  “Appropriate situations for being seen would be problems with breathing, continuous vomiting, children less than two years old and pregnant patients who are sick,” continued Keenan.

If a person is unsure whether his or her symptoms warrant an ER visit, Calonge encourages individuals to call their health care provider if possible before visiting the ER or a clinic.

Visiting the emergency room even though one’s flu symptoms aren’t serious also creates an environment where germs can spread, potentially infecting even more people.

 Keenan said, “Patients without symptoms may be exposed to those people with the actual flu for sometimes many hours while waiting in the emergency.”  

 Therefore, staying home with mild to moderate symptoms is one of the main ways to prevent the flu’s spread.  There is also no need for a normally healthy person to be seen if he or she may have been exposed.  Those considered ‘high risk’ should call their health care provider if they think they’ve been exposed.

 Many people visiting the emergency room and clinics are asking for testing and treatment for H1N1.  Not everyone needs it though.  Generally, those who are at high risk for complications, those who have other medical conditions, and those who are hospitalized for influenza may undergo treatment with antiviral medication.  Previously healthy people usually recover without them.  Testing is usually reserved for those who are hospitalized.  Since H1N1 is the main flu virus circulating right now, there is usually no need to test those with mild to moderate symptoms.

 The arrival of the H1N1 influenza vaccine will help to decrease the amount of illness being seen in the community.  Fort Carson expects the first shipment of vaccine within a week. 

 Those at high risk for complications, active duty, and health care personnel will receive vaccinations first.  Health officials at EACH expect that even after the high risk population is vaccinated, there will be enough left for beneficiaries who want it.  EACH will provide more information on the vaccine, who should get it and where to get it when that information is available.

 Prevention is key to stopping the spread of H1N1 and the seasonal flu, too.  Things that everyone can do to prevent spreading flu include staying home when sick, using a tissue or one’s sleeve when coughing or sneezing, staying away from sick people, and frequent hand washing.

 High risk individuals who may need to see a health care provider if ill or exposed include:

  • pregnant women

  • infants and young children

  • people of any age with lung problems, heart disease, or a weak immune system

  • people with kidney disease, diabetes, or neurological diseases

  • people younger than 19 years with diseases requiring long-term aspirin therapy

  • individuals with other chronic diseases

 Signs that a child needs to see a health care provider:

  • difficulty breathing or fast breathing

  • bluish or gray skin color

  • fever lasting more than three days

  • dehydration (no urination in 12 hours)

  • severe or persistent vomiting

  • not waking up or not interacting

  • very irritable and not wanting to be held

  • symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

 Signs an adult needs to be seen by a health care provider:

  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • pain or pressure in the chest

  • confusion or increasing lethargy (sluggishness)

  • severe or persistent vomiting

  • persistent fever and cough

 For more information on H1N1 influenza, visit www.cdc.gov or www.pandemic.gov.  You can also call the Colorado health information hotline, CoHELP, at 1-877-462-2911.

Resources to learn more about the ongoing pandemic can be found at the following sites:

                Self Care (New Information)

                Useful Information (New Information)

                The H1N1 Vaccine (New Information)

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/

DoD news release:  Military Monitors Swine Flu With Focus on Protecting Force

http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0509_h1n1/

 Army Surgeon General Blog, H1N1 Flu Update:  https://blog.amedd.army.mil/tsg/

 Army Medicine Web Site:  http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/

 H1N1 Flu Update:  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

 H1N1 Flu and You, Questions & Answers:  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

 H1N1 Flu, Guidance for Professionals:  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance/

 H1N1 Flu, Brochure: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/pdf/brochure.pdf

 Influenza Fact Sheet: http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf

 TRICARE:  http://www.tricare.mil

 Military Treatment Facility Locater:  http://www.tricare.mil/mtf/

 Health Affairs H1N1 Flu page:  http://www.health.mil/swineflu

 

Care with Honor