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How to prepare yourself for swine flu

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By Ben Sutherly, Staff Writer Updated 10:29 PM Tuesday, September 22, 2009

DAYTON — Public health officials have predicted the H1N1 flu would be on the upswing as school resumes, the weather cools, and humidity levels drop.

And there’s some evidence to suggest that’s the case locally, even as various employers, hospitals and businesses break out the hand-sanitizing gel.

At the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, for example, the percentage of positive tests for H1N1 flu has ranged from 9 percent to 23 percent during the first 20 days of September, said Dr. Sherman Alter, director of the hospital’s division of infectious diseases.

A general rule of thumb is that when more than 10 percent of possible cases test positive, the virus’ circulation among the public is growing.

So far, nearly 50 children seen at Dayton Children’s have tested positive for H1N1, though fewer than 10 have been hospitalized, Alter said. No confirmed cases have been seen at Miami Valley Hospital, while only a handful have been seen at Kettering and Sycamore medical centers.

Statewide, there have been 71 patients hospitalized for H1N1 flu and three deaths so far, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Overall, however, the flu has mostly been mild so far.

Here’s a primer for parents, caregivers and those who may be more susceptible to the H1N1 flu virus:

The H1N1 flu virus requires a different vaccination than the one given to treat seasonal flu, but it likely won’t be available until at least October.
Eventually, the vaccination is expected to be widely available at various public-health clinics, doctors offices and pharmacies across the region, perhaps as early as mid-October. The Ohio Department of Health has received 380 preregistrations from health-care businesses and doctors offices in Montgomery, Warren, Greene and Miami counties interested in administering the vaccine. Many schools in Montgomery County also are expected to administer the vaccine.
Precautions against seasonal flu are also effective against the H1N1 flu. These include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; washing your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners, especially after coughing or sneezing; avoiding hand contact with your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent spreading of germs; and staying home if you’re sick.
Mild flu-like symptoms shouldn’t trigger a trip to the emergency department. Convalescence at home is often best. Cues that an emergency department trip may be needed include difficulty in breathing; a decreased level of activity and interaction; persistent vomiting; a change in skin color to a pale blue or gray; or a lack of desire to eat, Alter said.
For those with underlying medical issues, flu medications requiring a prescription such as TAMIFLU (oral) and RELENZA (an ingested spray) are recommended within 48 hours of the flu's onset. These antivirals are considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be a second line of defense against the flu, with vaccines being the first.
High-risk groups will be given the vaccine first when it becomes available, probably in October, but the CDC expects to have enough H1N1 flu vaccine for everyone. High-risk groups include: pregnant women; emergency medical personnel and health-care workers; parents or guardians of children under 6 months old; children and young adults who are 6 months to 24 years of age; individuals 25 to 64 years of age with underlying health problems, such as diabetes. The elderly population is not considered a priority group because it appears they are not as susceptible to H1N1 as they are to many kinds of seasonal flu.
As always, hospitals request that those who are ill with flu-like symptoms not visit or report to work. Local hospitals currently have no visitor restrictions, but that could change if the flu becomes widespread.