Flu (H1N1) information from CDC and other sources
Risk and spread of Swine Flu in the United States and around the world
As of mid-May, 2009, the Centers for Disease and Control stated:
"CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations
and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks because the population has little to no immunity against
it."
" . . . It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread;
mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus."
As of mid-day, May 13, 2009, there were 3352 confirmed
cases of the Swine Flu in 45 states of the U.S., but with only three deaths, all of which involved complications involving health
conditions in addition to the flu.
Although nothing in these communications from the CDC seems to encourage anyone to become
complacent, the data itself shows that this flu virus is not, at present, much more dangerous than common flu viruses. Nevertheless,
there is still a possibility that it could mutate into a more deadly form.
In general, most of the states with the most cases are those states with greater populations: California=221, New York=211, Texas=293.
But the second-highest number of cases, 496, is in Wisconsin, which has only an average state population in the United States. Florida,
on the other hand, has only 58 cases, but is the 4th largest state in population.
What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
(Centers
for Disease and Control):
The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include
fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have
been infected with this new H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or
longer. You should stay home and avoid contact with other persons, except to seek medical care. If you leave the house to seek medical
care, wear a mask or cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. In general you should avoid contact with other people as much as
possible to keep from spreading your illness.
Keeping children safe and healthy--that's what Jonathan and Gladys Whitcomb do at Whitcomb Family Daycare in
Long Beach, California
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory
disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.
family
daycare in Long Beach
Gladys Whitcomb:
Lakewood, California