No Cause for Alarm
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Doctors and Specialists Meet at SIUC
Leo Eisenhauer
County and University specialists held a meeting Monday afternoon at SIU to address important questions from the student and university community about the new strain of influenza labeled the "swine flu."
Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the type A influenza virus. Typically humans are not infected with swine flu but infections can occur. Human cases usually involve those who have had direct contact with pigs, but the CDC has established human-to-human contact transmission among the recent cases.
There have been 50 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States: 28 at a private high school in New York City, 13 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio. Only one American case has led to a hospitalization.
President Barack Obama on Monday characterized the U.S. cases as a cause for concern but not "a cause for alarm." The federal government said travel warnings for trips to Mexico would remain in place as long as swine flu is detected.
The doctors at Monday's felt the same way.
"US patients have had only mild symptoms and all have recovered," Dr. Deidra McClain stated, "But if even if you don't have swine flu, you should still take measures to keep from passing on an flu virus."
The doctors said that the occurrence of swine flu came at an odd time since flu season should be coming to an end.
"Limit any non-essential travel to Mexico during this situation," Carla Griffin, Director of Nursing from the Jackson County Health Dept.
Those who have traveled to or from Mexico in the past 7 to 10 days should keep watch for any flu symptoms.
Seasonal flu symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Reported swine flu symptoms also include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A seasonal flu shot is not expected to protect against swine flu and therefore the following precautions are recommended: cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands frequently, contacted your physician if you have a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to avoid passing infection. A person with the flu becomes contagious after a day that symptoms are onset, but usually no longer than seven days there after, longer for children.
Swine flu is not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork products.
This outbreak of swine flu in humans has the potential to cease or become an issue.
"It is too early to make any prediction on the scale of this virus," Dr. Charles Clemens stated.
Pinckneyville ER Doctor Prepares Staff for Swine Flu Onset
By John H. Croessman
Dr. Bradley Wood, emergency room specialist at the Pinckneyville Community Hospital, held in-service training Monday for his medical team as cases of swine flu begin to spread across the United States.
"The flu is made up of three viral proteins-- human, bird and swine--and this is the first time we are seeing this combination," he said. "We are overdue for a flu epidemic. The last was in 1976," said Dr. Wood. "It has been very interesting studying the science of this flu," he said, which targets the non-typical flu group populations 20 to 40 years old. "One death was of a healthy 30-year-old in Pakistan," he said.
"The elderly and infirmed are susceptible--anyone with respiratory or other health issues," he said. "Our flu season usually ends in April, but this changes everything," he said.
"Flu vaccine is useless. Most pig farmers have an immunity. We treat with anti-virals upon presentation," he said. Of the four anti-virals used to treat flu, he said Tamiflu and Reenza are the two of the four that are being used to combat the swine flu. "It is resistant to the two others."
He said the voice of reason should get the population and hospitals through the problem. He said flu-like symptoms that present themselves may not be swine flu. "We are trying to get people to respond," he said. He said the symptoms are acute respiratory illness, runny nose, nasal problems, sore throat, a deep, hurting cough and general unwellness. There is typically a fever of 102 or higher. "You hurt and feel sicker than you have ever felt in your life," he said. "People are accustomed to having the flu. This will be something bigger."
He said Tamiflu and Reenza are only effective if taken at the onset of symptoms.
He said the healthier you are--the better your diet and sleep habits--the better your better will fend against this disease. You are infectious the day before symptoms appear and seven days afterwards.
He said there is no need for reasonably healthy people to fill Southern Illinois ERs. If the symptoms present themselves, make an appointment with your provider or call the ER.
He said masks will be provided to medical staff members and to patients should the flu become problematic and patients can be segregated in the ER. Avoid close contact and follow all of the accepted personal hygiene practices related to a flu season.