Below is the second edition of the HIN1 flu newsletter brought to you by Senator Roman Prezioso and Delegate Don Perdue, co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Health Emergency Preparedness. The following are answers to a series of questions asked after the first newsletter.
Q: If I’ve got the symptoms and don’t want to spread them to my family or others in places where I have to go (such as a doctor’s office), which is the right type of mask to wear and where can I get that type?
A: The CDC interim recommendations for facemask use for persons ill with confirmed H1N1 is that if an individual is going to leave the confines of their home the use of a facemask preferably the N95 or higher filtering mask (that is the best one) but a face mask such as a disposable surgical or dental mask is ok. Face masks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing the mask and are not designed to protect against breathing in small particles that contain the virus. The information on the effectiveness of facemasks for decreasing the risk of exposure to the virus is extremely limited.
Q: Mixed signals are being sent by the media. Don’t wait too long before you see a doctor if you’ve got symptoms, because it may be too late to treat them. Don’t go to the doctor just because you’ve got symptoms, you may get over it without treatment and don’t need to be exposing the other patients in the doctor’s office. If I’ve got symptoms, how do I know when I should seek medical treatment?
A: If one gets sick with flu-like symptoms that person should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Most people that have contracted H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or anti-viral drugs and the same goes for the seasonal flu.
The warning signs for additional treatment beyond the symptomatic treatment would be if someone is experiencing difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, or severe or persistent vomiting. If you have doubts call the health care provider but don’t go to the office unless advised to by the office staff. Anti-viral drugs will not make the flu go away or prevent you from contracting it , but it may make you better faster and prevent serious complications if you are at a higher risk of complications.
Q: Is it possible to get H1N1 and the seasonal flu simultaneously? If so, what can we expect. Are there special treatment steps we should take?
A: It is possible to get both the seasonal flu and H1N1 at the same time but highly unlikely. The H1N1 being a “new kid on the block” would take over. Also, if a person has taken a seasonal flu shot on a regular basis they have built up a stronger resistance to the seasonal flu virus thus lessening the probability of the dual contraction.
Q: If one gets H1N1, I know we’re not supposed to come in for at least 24 hours after our cough goes away, but how long does H1N1 take to run its course, 3 days? 10 days? Longer?
A: If a person contracts H1N1 they should not come back to work until their fever has remained normal without fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil for a period of 24 hours. The cough may linger for several weeks after the symptoms of the flu have subsided. It takes about 7 days for the H1N1 to run its full course.
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health has established an informational website to help parents and students better understand the H1N1 (Swine) Flu. Please review www.wvflu.org to find out about the latest preventative measures and vaccine availability throughout the state.
