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Kentucky is one of several states in the nation that is reporting widespread activity of the flu.  There are precautions that individuals can do to avoid the H1N1 flu.

“The number one thing that all individuals can do to avoid getting this or any other strain of flu is to wash their hands frequently, particularly after coughing into their hand, even with a tissue,” said Ardis Hoven, M.D., an infectious disease specialist who is on the medical staff at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center. 

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta recommends these precautions should be followed to reduce the spread of H1N1 flu:

• Avoid contact with ill persons
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and throw used tissues in a trash can.  Absent a tissue, it is best to cough or sneeze into your sleeve, covering your nose and mouth. 
• After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
• If you think you have the flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible.  Seek medical care if you are severely ill, including having trouble breathing.

“Anyone who suspects they may have the flu should not leave their house while they are ill, to avoid spreading the illness to others,” said Ginger Elliott, R.N., infection control specialist at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center.  “This means that individuals who think they have the flu should not go to school, work, church, the movies or other public places.  This is most important in preventing the further spread of the swine flu.”

H1N1 flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that normally does not infect humans; however, this outbreak has been caused by an infection from a pig to a human and is now spreading from human to human.

Symptoms of swine flu include: 

• Fever greater than 100 degrees
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Headache and body aches
• Fatigue

Individuals who feel they are sick enough with flu-like symptoms to go to their family physician, a clinic or emergency room should not do so unless Tylenol, Motrin or other medicines do not address the symptoms.  Aspirin is not the medicine of choice and should not be taken by individuals with a fever and who are under the age of 18.

“It is important that the public stay calm, especially if they become symptomatic,” said Eric Guerrant, M.D., an emergency medicine specialist at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center.  “If the symptoms are mild, we encourage the public to stay at home and treat themselves symptomatically.  This will minimize the chance for further spread to others.  If patients develop moderate to severe shortness of breath, altered mental status or are otherwise severely symptomatic, then emergency care should be sought.  From a public health standpoint, it is important that those with mild symptoms remain in their home.”