The CDC has reported the World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert to PHASE 6.
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization(WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.
What does this mean to my good readers? Absolutely nothing. You can continue to go about your daily activities without fear of Armageddon. Seriously. You have a greater chance of acquiring higher taxes in the coming months than Swine Flu.
Even though WHO raised its alert, this is due to the spread of the worldwide and not the severity of illness caused by the virus. As a reminder to my readers, I am posting simple steps to break the cycle of transmission of this virus. These are activities that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine – with or without a WHO pandemic alert.
Individuals have an important role in protecting themselves and their families.
Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Everyone should take these everyday steps to protect your health and lessen the spread of this new virus:
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.
If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Philly readers can find the latest information on Swine Flu (H1N1) at the Pennsylvania Dept of Health. To date, there have been 123 confirmed, 48 probable cases of Swine Flu (H1N1). There has been on confirmed death in Philadelphia.
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U.S. Human cases of Swine (H1N1) Flu: 403 cases 1 death of a Mexican National.
Added a CDC Text Message widget to the sidebar –
Do you want to stay up-to-date and informed on public health text alerts before and during emergencies? In addition to sending out SMS text messages during emergencies and events, the CDC also makes these messages available through RSS and this widget.
A Novant Health informational video about the importance of a hand hygiene. This tongue and cheek approach cleverly uses the popular Barry Manilow song “Copacabana” as the vehicle to deliver an important message:
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U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu (H1N1) Infection: 160 confirmed cases and 1 death (Mexican National)
Added a second Swine Flu widget to the sidebar
What is the definition of a confirmed case of Swine Flu? Below is the CDC definition of what constitutes a confirmed case:
CDC definition of a confirmed case:
A confirmed case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed S-OIV infection at CDC by one or more of the following tests:
1. real-time RT-PCR 2. viral culture
A probable case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness who is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3 by influenza RT-PCR
A suspected case of S-OIV infection is defined as a person with acute febrile respiratory illness with onset
* within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of S-OIV infection, or * within 7 days of travel to community either within the United States or internationally where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection, or * resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed cases of S-OIV infection.
Infectious period for a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as 1 day prior to the case’s illness onset to 7 days after onset.
Close contact is defined as: within about 6 feet of an ill person who is a confirmed or suspected case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.
Acute respiratory illness is defined as recent onset of at least two of the following: rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough (with or without fever or feverishness)
High-risk groups: A person who is at high-risk for complications of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as the same for seasonal influenza
The CDC is officially reporting 109 cases and 1 death of a Mexican national in the United States. Yesterday, I briefly caught a local reporter stating confirmed cases in New Jersey and Delaware. As of 8:30 am on May 1st, the CDC has not reported any confirmed cased in these states. It would be prudent for the local media to wait for CDC confirmation before rushing the story to the public.
I’m certainly surprised that Philly has not one confirmed case, as we have a large population of college students. However, I will not report on suspected cases, only those confirmed to have swine flu by the CDC.
UPDATE: Airline Passenger with flu-like symptoms being examined and treated at Methodist Hospital.
CDC Tips to Help You Stay Healthy:
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
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 hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
This podcast discusses the actions and goals of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, related to the current outbreak of H1N1 flu (swine flu):
I’ve tried to keep politics out of this information, but I have to comment on Biden. His statements regarding the swine flu are dangerously negligent, inflaming fear instead of reason regarding the swine flu. I strongly suggest the public ignore the medical advice from Biden and heed the advice of the CDC.
In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu – its signs and symptoms, how it’s transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill
This podcast, intended for the general public, demonstrates how to put on and take off disposable respirators that are to be used in areas affected by the influenza outbreak.
You can find more evidence based videos regarding the Swine Flu and other health topics at the CDCStreamingHealth YouTube Channel.
I’m concerned about the junk information I’ve been reading on blogs, FaceBook and Twitter regarding swine flu and pandemic events. I hope to address those issues with the following evidence based video and links. I’m also happy to report that the suspected case of swine flu in Philadelphia has been ruled out. Additionally, I’ve added a widget on my sidebar that will link you to evidence based information regarding the swine flu. Below is a 57 minute video from pandemicflu.gov designed to help people learn more about pandemic flu and what step to take to prepare for a pandemic event.
Via Philadelphia Dept of Public Health:
Good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. - Stay home when you are sick. - If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. - Cover your mouth and nose. - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. - Clean your hands. - Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. - Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. - Practice other good health habits. - Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.
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. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
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.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
I cannot emphasis enough the importance of respiratory etiquette – covering your mouth, using disposable tissues and hand sanitizer in protecting yourself and others from this disease.
I carry a bottle of alcohol based hand sanitizer with me at all times. You can purchase them at a local dollar store – however – it is important to check the ethyl alcohol content before purchasing. It is the active ingredient in alcohol based sanitzers, and it should have a concentration of greater than 60%.
Relax, stay calm.
Any questions or concerns regarding this type of influenza, please leave a comment.
My favorite naval aviator sent a charming reminder to me to get the flu shot this season:
I will seek and find you, I shall take you to bed and have my way with you, I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan, I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop, I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I’m finished with you. And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.
All my love, The Flu
Should I be concerned his thoughts of me revolve around Influenza???
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