Editor's note: In an effort to provide accurate and timely information on H1N1 activity, area health departments have offered to provide a weekly update on flu activity, as well as information on vaccination clinics and precautions. This column will appear each Sunday.
H1N1 vaccine has finally begun to arrive in local health departments, and two small, targeted clinics are being held tomorrow in Andover and North Andover.
The first is being held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Andover Senior Center. It is restricted to medical professionals with direct patient care, pregnant women, and parents of infants 6 months old or younger. It is for Andover residents only, and no pediatric immunizations are available. The second will be held at the North Andover Middle School, for sixth-graders. This will be the flu mist spray vaccine only.
Health departments in Lawrence and Methuen are also planning clinics in the near future. As soon as dates and locations are confirmed, details will be made available to the public. Most clinics will be advertised at the following Web site: http://flu.masspro.org/.
As of Nov. 3, approximately 870,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine had been administered in Massachusetts, mostly through physicians' offices.
Reports of flu-like illnesses continue to increase across Massachusetts, with doctors' offices reporting about 7 percent of their office visits involving influenza-like illnesses, where normally at this time of year that percentage would be closer to 1 percent.
In the northeast part of the state, the estimate is up to 8 percent, where we would normally see about a half a percent. This tells us that the flu virus is here in the region, and that it is having an impact on the population. The virus continues to have a greater impact on children.
How does a person know if they may have flu, and when should you seek medical care? The symptoms of H1N1 flu are very similar to those of seasonal flu. In fact, the layperson might not be able to tell the difference between the two illnesses. Flu-like symptoms include fever (higher than 100.4 degrees F) with a cough and/or sore throat. If your child has those symptoms, you are advised to keep them home.
In order to limit the spread of flu, the Department of Public Health recommends that you stay at home until you are free of fever for at least 24 hours after your last dose of fever-reducing medication. These medicines include acetaminophen (Tylenol or store brand) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin or store brand).
If you are sick, limit your contact with others and wash hands frequently. If possible, one person in the home should care for you while you are sick. This person should not be pregnant. Close contact (less than 6 feet) should be avoided as much as possible.
Recently contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with regular household cleaner. Dirty dishes can be washed in a dishwasher or by hand, with warm water and soap. Laundry and linens can be washed in a regular washing machine and should be tumble dried on a hot setting if possible.
While sick, you should get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids. Becoming dehydrated is one of the main risks of flu. Good ventilation in shared household areas should be considered when possible. This may include keeping windows open in certain rooms.
If you are a person at high risk of severe illness from flu and must be the caregiver for a sick family person, you should consider use of a facemask or respirator. High risk people include pregnant women, those with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and HIV or other chronic medical disorders. Also included are children under 5 years of age, people under 18 years who are on long-term aspirin therapy, and residents of nursing homes. Simple Food and Drug Administration-approved facemasks are generally adequate.
Although anyone with flu-like symptoms should be reported to their health care provider, they do not all need to be seen at a doctor's office. The vast majority of sick people do not need to be seen by a physician; most will recover easily at home.
Medical care should be sought if the sick person shows signs of dehydration, such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or a lack of tears when crying. Also, difficulty breathing or chest pain, frequent vomiting, or blue discoloration of the lips should prompt medical attention. More severe symptoms can include seizures or a state of confusion and reduced responsiveness. High or prolonged fever in adults or children should also prompt medical care.
Schools and businesses have been asked to not require a doctor's note to return, so as to not overwhelm the doctors' offices with extra work. The goal is to help physicians use their time and energy for only the sickest of people.
Generally, schools do not require a doctor's note to allow a child to return to school after a short illness. It is not allowed for doctors to write a note permitting a child to return to school less than 24 hours after a fever. If a child still feels ill or continues to cough, they should likely stay at home.
NEXT WEEK: A look at the various types of flu vaccine that are available, and who gets which type.
