Swine Flu

It's going around because, guess what, it's flu season. I am not writing to scare you, but to inform you: the H1N1 virus is just another type of flu virus. It is a new virus, though, so most of us don't have any immunity to it yet. I've heard about people I know who recently were diagnosed with it and, since Brianna has been sick for a few days, I was reading online and found some good resources.

According to Pediatrics.com the symptoms can include:
*fever, usually high and can be intermittent (the person I know had a high fever for a few days, but with some periods of relief)
*cough
*runny or stuffy nose
*sore throat
*body aches and/or headache
*chills
*fatigue or tiredness
*diarrhea and vomiting
More serious symptoms that indicate needing immediate medical attention:
*fast breathing or trouble breathing
*bluish or gray skin color
*not drinking enough fluids
*severe or persistent vomiting
*not waking up or interacting
*so irritable that they don't want to be held or touched
*flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse symptoms

People most at risk for the H1N1 virus are pregnant women, people with a chronic medical condition such as asthma or diabetes, and people with obesity.

Swine Flu, like all viruses, spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions, such as coughing and sneezing close to you or into their hand then touching something that you come into contact with while the germ survives for no more than a few hours.

An interesting site is the Swine Flu Map. It shows that there are cases in every State! Oregon, and the majority, currently have 100-499 reported cases. Several States have over 500 reported cases.

Another good site is Everyday Health. The problem with H1N1 is it's more contagious and lasts longer than the common flu, so could develop into more serious complications.

The boy I know had symptoms, tested positive for H1N1, and was given a prescription which costs, even with insurance, about $80, which only shortens the duration of the virus a few days, which for those at high risk for developing more serious complications would make it worth the cost, but for a healthy kid, such as this case, they decided to wait it out and the symptoms went away in a few more days, lasting about a week.

Hopefully this gives you encouragement instead of fear. Wash your hands often. Cough and sneeze into your elbow/shoulder not your hands. Keep kids at home until they are without fever for 24 hours (used to be 12 hours, but since the H1N1 causes intermittent fevers, it is safer to wait for 24 hours now). And remember, God is in control! Matthew 6:25-34 "do not worry about your life...who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?..."