Medical Alert
Every year the Influenza Virus (called the "flu" or "influenza") infects thousands of people in Central
Florida. Doctors recommend yearly "flu-shots" which prevent you from getting the flu; or reduce its
impact on you if you get the flu. The yearly "flu" is transmitted each year from birds to humans; and
spreads easily from humans to humans. It usually comes to Central Florida during the winter months.
Animals can also get infected with an Influenza virus (usually different from the one humans get every
year). Pigs can catch the Influenza. When pigs get the "Flu"; it is sometimes transmitted to humans
who work closely with the pigs. Usually, the pig-virus can not go from the infected human to another
human unless it mutates (changes). When the pig virus does mutate so that it can spread easily
from infected humans to other humans, we call this the SWINE FLU.
As you've heard on the news, the SWINE FLU has been detected in Mexico and several states in the U.S.
We don't know how serious it will be; but it has the potential to be more serious than our yearly-flu
because our human immune system has probably not seen the mutated swine flu virus.
What to look out for
The Swine Flu has the same symptoms as the yearly Influenza:
- High Fever - Cough
- Muscle Aches - Chills
- Headache - Fatigue
What to do if you have any symptoms:
All Centra Care centers have the "Influenza Test". It is a simple nasal swab test that takes just a few
minutes to determine whether you have the Influenza virus causing your symptoms.
Treatment:
If you do have the Swine Flu Centra Care will treat you with an Anti-Viral medication (like Oseltamivir
or Zanamivir) which will help reduce the number of days you're sick and reduce the severity of illness.
**Important; you need to be treated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms for the medicine to work!
Prevention:
There's no vaccine available yet for the Swine Flu. The best way to prevent getting it is to:
* 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.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after
you use it.
* 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
For More Information, go to CDC's website.