H1N1 Flu Blog Updates at Washington State University

Follow  how Washington  State University is dealing with their H1N1 Swine flu outbreak.

Every morning at HWS, a small group of us gather to review the previous day’s flu related activities on campus. We talk daily with campus leaders to monitor the situation and to determine what steps need to be taken next. It is clear from our conversations that many of you want more info, and you want it faster and clearer. This blog is our effort to provide you with that information as quickly and as accurately as possible. To begin, we’ve pasted some of the simple answers to questions we believe to be important.

Follow their blog about the Swine Flu

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Elmo Good Habits PSA with Sec Sebelius
From: USGOVHHS | 11,828 views
Elmo spreads good habits! Secretary Sebelius and Elmo encouraged kids to practice good habits like hand washing to stay healthy and happy.

Elmo teaches good handwashing

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

From the CDC
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, met July 29, 2009, to make recommendations on who should receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
The groups recommended to receive the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

* Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
* Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
* Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
* All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
o Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
o Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
* Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

We do not expect that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but flu vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable and there is some possibility that initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities.

More info from the CDC

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

CDC Treatment Recommendations for Pregnant Women related to the H1Ni Swine Flu

Treatment Recommendations

Pregnant women with influenza-like illnesses should receive empiric antiviral treatment. Because of its systemic activity, the drug of choice for treatment of pregnant women is oseltamivir. Recommended duration of treatment is five days. Treatment should not be delayed while waiting for the results of viral testing. As is recommended for other persons who are treated, antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after the onset of influenza symptoms, with benefits expected to be greatest if started within 48 hours of onset, based on data from studies of seasonal influenza. However, data from studies on seasonal influenza indicate benefit for hospitalized patients even if treatment is started more than 48 hours after onset. Thus, antiviral medications are recommended for high risk persons, including pregnant women, presenting for care more than 48 hours after illness onset, particularly for those who require hospitalization.

Read the CDC Article;e

From the CDC
Other ways to reduce risk for pregnant women

There is no vaccine available yet to prevent novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection; however, the risk for novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection might be reduced by taking steps to reduce the chance of being exposed to respiratory infections. These steps include:

1. Frequent hand washing.
2. Minimizing contact with sick individuals.
3. Having ill persons stay home (except to seek medical care).
4. Having ill persons cover coughs.
5. Avoiding, whenever possible, crowded settings in communities having outbreaks of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.
6. And using facemasks and respirators correctly if they are used (see Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use to Reduce Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Transmission).

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

CBS Video of Swine Flu at Camp

Avoiding Swine Flu At Camp
From CBS
July 13, 2009 4:20 PM

Now that the H1N1 virus is spreading, many kids’ summer camps are taking precautions. Dr. Jennifer Ashton reports that campers and counselors are especially vulnerable.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Summer Camp season is here! What should you be concerned about?
From the CDC
Camps for children, young adults and families range from programs conducted for several hours in a day (not overnight) to programs that are residential and involve many weeks in group settings. At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in camps focus on early identification of ill campers and staff, staying home (or away from others) when ill, good cough and hand hygiene etiquette, and environmental controls that encourage use of these hygiene practices
More info from CDC

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!