Posts Tagged ‘H1n1’

Swine flu can affect the dental office just as easily as anywhere else. With information obtained from the CDA website (below), we have come up with some suggestions and best practices for preventing the spread of H1N1 in the dental office.   Respiratory cough etiquette, along with disinfectant precautions, are currently recommended for preventing the transmission of swine flu in a dental healthcare setting. CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of H1N1 have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico and Canada. Using medical grade disinfectant sprays will kill H1N1, MRSA, TB, HPV, HIV-1 (AIDS Virus) and more.   The sprays are also safe for all areas of your practice – the exam room, all hard surfaces, tools and instruments, and all patient care rooms.   Below, read more about preventing the spread of H1N1 in dental settings. What should I do if a patient is present for a routine checkup, and has respiratory symptoms?  If the dentist suspects the illness could be due to swine flu (fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting are all symptoms), elective dental treatment should be stalled and the patient should be instructed to contact their health care provider. The health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is necessary.  Be sure to sterilize and disinfect any instrument or surface touched by the patient with a proper grade disinfectant spray. How would you handle a situation where the patient has symptoms, but requires urgent dental care?  If necessary dental care is required and H1N1 has either been confirmed or suspected, the care should be provided in a facility (hospital with dental care capabilities) that provides airborne infection isolation (airborne infection isolation rooms with negative pressure air handling). For aerosol-generating procedures, use a procedure room with negative pressure air handling. Personnel providing direct patient care for suspected or confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases should wear a fit-tested disposable 3M N95 mask (respirator masks) when entering the patient room and when performing dental procedures. Respirator use should be in the context of a complete respiratory protection program, in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. What if someone of your staff reports to work with acute respiratory symptoms?  Staff experiencing influenza-like-illness (fever with cough or sore throat) should not report to work.   Staff who experience these symptoms and wish to seek medical care should contact their healthcare provider to report the illness before seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Workers who were not using appropriate personal protective equipment during close contact with a confirmed, probable, or suspect case of swine flu (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period should receive chemoprophylaxis according to CDC guidance.  Finally, employees who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, or are believed to be severely ill, should seek immediate medical attention. With the proper preventative measures, issues surrounding swine flu and H1N1 infection can be controlled.   Using proper cough etiquette, n95 masks, and high grade disinfectant sprays, can go a long way in preventing the spread of H1N1 swine flu in the dental setting.

H1N1 influenza A is also commonly known as the swine flu. The swine flu is believed to have originated in Mexico and then quickly started spreading. The swine flu is a dangerous type of flu because it is a new strain. The swine flu is thought to be a combination of bird flu, swine flu and human flu. This particular strain of flu has the potential be become an epidemic in 2009 because people have never before been exposed to it and therefore don’t have any immunity built up against it. This lack of immunity within the population is what has the makings of a possible epidemic or pandemic in 2009. An epidemic is when a higher than expected number of people contract seasonal flu in a specific area or part of the country. A pandemic is a global outbreak that is most often the result of a new strain of influenza. There have been many pandemics throughout history. The Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 killed somewhere between 20 and 40 million people worldwide and is the most deadly pandemic in recent history. Swine flu has already become global making a pandemic a real possibility. The World Health Organization (W. H. O. ) provides global health leadership over the U. N. The WHO has a system in place for assessing the level of an influenza outbreak. This system has 6 phases of preparedness that rate the current level of influenza outbreak globally. The final level, phase 6, is the highest level of preparedness meaning the influenza has become a pandemic. The CDC and WHO have been preparing for epidemics and pandemics for decades. Preparing for influenza outbreaks includes putting procedures in place that are used to get ready in case a flu outbreak occurs. The United States is extremely well prepared and ready to handle a flu outbreak. Preparations include educating local, regional and state resources in how to handle a flu epidemic or pandemic. It is important that the public be aware of the ways that they can avoid getting and spreading the swine flu. Public awareness and participation will help to keep the disease under control. With today’s Internet, television and radio broadcasts the information about swine flu (H1N1) can be widely distributed to a major portion of the population. This helps to keep everyone aware of what they can do to help protect themselves and their families from getting the swine flu. There is currently no preventative inoculation for this new strain of H1N1 influenza A; however, work is being done right now to come up with one. The current method of treatment for swine flu is to take Tamiflu, a prescription medication that is designed to help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Swine flu is not dangerous for most people who get it. The swine flu can lead to severe complications in those with lowered immune systems. Most often, however, swine flu does not require hospitalization and the patient can recover at home in a few days to a week.

i just found out a little bit ago that my SIL who watches my son 4 days a week has tested positive for the swine flu. . . he hasn’t been with her since friday. . . i know i am posting this in the parenting section. . . . . . i have tried calling my pediatrician’s office but was on hold for like 20 minutes. . . . just curious as to if anyone here knows

Swine flu is spreading rapidly around the world, its important to know the exact swine flu signs and important advice prevention about the killer disease.
where can i find all information about swine flu

 
The Swine (H1N1) Flu, just like any other virus infection, it too has its own myths.  Here are the 10 most common ones.   Don’t we already have enough to worry about without imagining things?  Why worry about things that are not even true.  Here are 10 of them.
Myth #1:  If I wear a surgical mask, I will be protected from getting the H1N1 swine flu virus
Fact:  While it is possible that wearing a surgical mask may be slightly helpful in preventing the “spread” of the swine H1N1 flu, it definitely will not guarantee you safe passage.  However, if you are wearing the mask around others who are infected with the virus, it will help protect you from the germs of their sneezes and coughs.  Otherwise, it can’t hurt to wear a surgical mask but just do not let yourself be lulled into a false sense of complete protection against the swine Flu virus.
Myth #2:  You cannot die from the swine flu virus
Fact:  Nothing is further from the truth.  You can die from the swine flu virus.  People across the world are dying from it everyday.  However, so as not to overly alarm you, it must also be pointed out that most people will “not” die from it.  The truth of the matter is that the H1N1 virus can prove fatal in people who have already have a compromised immune system.  Some people get very sick from this virus while other only report mild symptoms.  Please remember that it is vitally important that you take the anti-viral medication that will help reduce the intensity of your swine flu symptoms.  Is is also extremely important to remember that you should avoid contact with other people for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides.  You do not want to give it to anyone else.
Myth #3:  Infection from the swine flu only happens if you have direct contact with a pig.
Fact:  While it has been reported by the CDC that in the past, swine flu has been spread between people and pigs, this most likely occurred with pig farmers who were in constant close contact with their pigs.  It is much more likely that the current swine flu is spread from human to human because of the liquid droplets and vapors that are expelled into the air from a contaminated person when they sneeze or cough.  If you were to come into contact with these droplets, or anything that had these droplets on it, you have a good chance of becoming infected with the virus yourself.
Myth #4:  We have never had an outbreak of the swine flu within the United States
Fact:  This is not true.  Throughout the years there has been several swine flu outbreaks in the United States.  In 1967, five soldiers from Fort Dix, New Jersey were contact in an outbreak of the swine flu.  All five of them became infected and one of them died.  However, according to the experts, some of the conditions that worsened this swine flu outbreak was brought on by the fact that they were living in a very stressed conditions and very close military quarters.   Also, in Wisconsin in 1988, there was a mild outbreak of the swine flu in heath care workers who worked in close proximity with their patients.
Myth #5:  The elderly, young adults and the children are all equally at risk.
Fact:  Apparently, it has come to light that ones immune system strength may not be a significant factor with the H1N1 virus.  But, the jury is still out on this and is not certain. It is believed that, just like the avian flu and the SARS outbreaks, it is more a factor of how your own body reacts to the virus rather than the virus itself.  But, it should also be kept in mind that the majority of cases investigated so far in the U. S. have proven to be rather mild.  It really is uncertain how the young and healthy people in Mexico were dying.  It has been suggested that perhaps the virus had already mutated into a stronger variation.  It is also important to know that the antiviral medication TAMIFLU is proving to be a highly effective treatment for the swine flu, provided you see you doctor  as soon as possible after getting sick.
Myth #6:  Eating pork will increase your chances of getting swine flu.
Fact:  The swine flu was named so because of a flu that pigs were getting in the Northern hemisphere. But, there is no correlation between swine flu and eating pork or pork products.  However, you must remember that eating any not properly prepared or partially cooked meats will certainly increase your risk of bacterial infections and viruses. No, you do not get swine flu (H1N1) from eating pork of any kind.
Myth #7:  The H1N1 virus is much riskier than the 2000-2003 SARS pandemic.
Fact:  This is definitely “not” true.  This pandemic caused 774 deaths before it was stopped.  That’s approximately 10% of those infected with the virus!  The United States had 10 or fewer deaths while the remainder are believed to be in China.
Myth #8:  The seasonal influenza vaccination can help prevent the H1N1 virus infection.
Fact:  The CDC has said that the anti-viral medicines and remedies along with the seasonal influenza vaccination can help decrease the “symptoms” of the H1N1 Swine flu, BUT, it is definitely not a preventive measure or cure.  Only the H1N1 vaccines can do this job efficiently.
Myth #9:   Tamiflu will cure the H1N1 virus.
Fact:  This is definitely a bad myth as Tamiflu will help lessen your symptoms once you get the virus, but, it will not cure the flu. . The Tamilflu antiviral medication has been shown to decrease the length of  your  infection by a few days, but nothing else.
Myth #10:  If I get a fever along with the other flu symptoms, that means I have the H1N1 swine flu and I need to get to the hospital or see a doctor.
Fact:  If you are a normal healthy person it is actually suggested that you  stay home rather than risk infecting others.  However, if you are susceptible to asthma attacks, have a weakened immune system, or lung disease, it is suggested that you do seek medical attention as soon as possible.