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Posted by: thepinetree on 09/21/2009 03:30 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 09/21/2009 03:35 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Calaveras Public Health Announces 5th Novel H1N1 Case...50 year old Mokeulumne Hill Resident
San Andreas, CA...A fifth case of the new or novel H1N1 influenza has been reported by the Calaveras County Public Health Department. A 50 year old resident of Mokelumne Hill was hospitalized in Sacramento in late August with flu and was discharged in early September. Laboratory testing results received on September 18, 2009 were consistent with the H1N1 flu virus according to County health officials. The resident recovered after the hospital stay...
While the number of known cases of H1N1 flu is still small in Calaveras County, health officials expect the new flu virus infection to become more widespread this fall and winter. “Flu-like illness remained at unseasonally high levels through spring and summer of 2009 in the U.S. and California and the H1N1 flu accounted for virtually all of it,” according to Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County Health Officer.
While the majority of persons with H1N1 flu get well without needing to see a doctor, some persons have a higher risk of severe flu illness. Pregnant women, persons who have respiratory disease (including asthma), diabetes, heart conditions, or a weakened immune system should contact their doctor if they develop a flu-like illness (fever with cough or sore throat).
“Healthy children or young adults rarely develop severe illness from H1N1 infection,” Dr. Kelaita said. “Be aware of the signs of serious illness and call your doctor if they occur,” Kelaita advised.
Signs of serious illness in children include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Not drinking enough
• Not waking up or interacting
• Very irritable; not wanting to be held
• Vomiting – severe or continuing
• Symptoms improve but return with fever and worse cough
In adults, signs of serious illness include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in stomach
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Vomiting – severe or continuing
• Symptoms improve but return with fever and worse cough
A vaccine against the H1N1 flu virus has been licensed and is expected to be available locally in late October – early November. Information on local H1N1 vaccine clinics will be sent out through media, schools and community organizations. “Until vaccine is available, prevention of flu means staying home when sick, good handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes,” Dr. Kelaita said. Health officials recommend that persons with flu-like illness should stay home until 24 hours after fever ends (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
The Public Health Department is participating in a series of community meetings on the H1N1 flu. The next meetings will be held on September 24 from 6 – 7 pm at Calaveras High School and September 29 from 6 – 7 pm at Bret Harte High School.
Seasonal flu vaccine is available now. Dr. Kelaita encourages people to get vaccinated. More information on H1N1 flu and the current seasonal flu vaccine clinics is available from the Public Health Department at 754-6460 or www.calaveraspublichealth.com.
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