Cumberland Medical Center - Keeping You “In the Know”

As many of you have heard or read, the “Swine Flu” or Influenza H1N1 is taking over the media.  As your medical services provider, Cumberland Medical Center would like to share accurate information about this disease in order for you and your family to be prepared.

The Swine Flu (Influenza H1N1) virus is spread from person to person through our respiratory system.  When an infected person sneezes or coughs, droplets enter the air.  Another person can inhale the droplets or touch an object where droplets have been deposited.  If contact is made to the mouth or nose BEFORE washing hands, exposure may occur.

The signs of the “Swine Flu” are varied.  Some of the symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  Some patients have reported diarrhea and vomiting.  Remember, just like seasonal flu, the severity can vary from mild to severe.  Also, it is not uncommon for a bacteria infection to be present at the same time as the “Swine Flu” leading to ear infections, pneumonias, and sinus infections.

Groups most likely to be severely affected are young children, elderly and chronically ill persons. 

If you or a loved one is ill, please take the following precautions:

• Check with your health care provider for special needs that may need to be addressed.
• Check to see if antiviral medications may benefit.
• Stay at home for 7 days after the illness/fever is gone.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink clear fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Avoid contact with others - do not attend school or work while ill.
• Do not give Aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu.
• Always COVER your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
• Wash hands after sneezing or coughing.
• Wash hands frequently.  If soap and water not available, used alcohol base hand rub.
• Encourage sick family member to stay in an area of the home separate from others with the door closed.
• When holding small children, attempt to place their chin on your shoulder to avoid coughing in your face.
• Use disinfectant on household surfaces.