WHO's advice? Stay home and nurse the flu

We’ve all heard or read media reports related to the worldwide pandemic concern regarding the H1N1 Influenza, more commonly known as “swine flu.”

Last week, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to its highest phase, six.

So what does that mean for us here in the Sandpoint area?

The elevation of the alert level to phase six means that there is sustained and continuing person-to-person transmission of H1N1 influenza worldwide.

It is important to note that his change was based solely on the geographic spread of the virus and in does not reflect an increased severity of the virus.

In the United States there have been more than 13,000 cases and at least 27 deaths from swine flu.

Cases of this flu have been reported in every state, including 16 probable or confirmed cases in Idaho to date.

Prepar-edness plans have been in place in the U.S. on a federal, state and local level since April 2009 due to the fact that the virus has spread steadily from person to person.

Here at home, Bonner General Hospital has implemented the appropriate emergency preparedness measures to ensure we’re ready and able to deal with this influenza.

We are working very closely with Panhandle Health District and a region-wide emergency preparedness network, and we receive regular updates from the Centers for Disease Control.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and may include:

n Fever, chills, fatigue

n Sore throat, headache, body aches

n Cough, head/lung congestion

n Diarrhea, vomiting

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu.

To help protect your health and prevent the spread of swine flu, take these everyday steps:

n Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

n Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

n Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

n Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

n Stay at home if you’re sick and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, call your physician.

Your physician can give you a test for H1N1 flu and a prescription for any necessary medications.

Remember that one of the best preventative measures you can take is to simply use common sense. We encourage everyone to practice basic flu-prevention measures, such as regular hand washing, to help slow the spread of the flu.

n Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital. The information in this article is courtesy of Mary Reader, R.N., the hospital’s Director of Infection Control, and the CDC.

For more information, visit the hospital’s Web site at www.BonnerGeneral.org/flu.