Nimiipuu
Health
Nez Perce Tribal Health Board
Lapwai Health Center
Kamiah Health Center
Lapwai, ID 83540
Kamiah, ID 83536
(208)843-2271
(208)935-0733
May 29,
2009
North
Central District Public Health issued a public health alert today that states
there is a patient with swine flu in Nez Perce County.
The flu is in Lapwai and is being treated at home without the need for
hospitalization. There are 15
confirmed cases in the state of Idaho at this time.
Residents of Lapwai need to be aware and take specific precautions.
WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS!
ü
Wash
them after every cough or sneeze
ü
Wash
them after you touch your nose, mouth or
eyes
ü
Wash
them before you eat
ü
To wash
use soap and water for 15-20 seconds or use an alcohol based hand cleaner and
rub it in
COVER YOUR COUGH OR COUGH INTO YOUR SLEEVE
ü
This virus is spread by droplets
ü
If you are coughing, wear a mask
ü
If you blow your nose, throw the tissue into the trash
WHAT TO DO TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
ü
Avoid contact with sick people
ü
Follow public health advice regarding school closures
ü
Avoid crowds
ü
Stand three feet, one arms length, away from other people so that the droplets
won’t get to you
ü
Do not share drinking bottles, food, toothbrushes or eating utensils with a sick
person
FACTS
ü
This flu
is contagious but no more contagious or serious than the average flu at this
time. In an average year 36,000 people die from the average flu alone.
ü
There is
no vaccine for this flu yet, the CDC is working on a vaccine for flu season 2009
ü
There is
no medicine to cure the flu.
Antiviral medication needs to be taken 48 hours from when the person came in
contact with the flu. Antiviral
medication can make the symptoms lighter.
ü
The flu
can live on a hard surface like a door knob for 2-8 hrs
ü
People
are contagious 1 day before they show symptoms and up to 7 days after they get
sick, children may be sick up to 10 days after they get sick
SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU
ü
Fever
*Headaches
ü
Cough
*Chills
ü
Sore throat
* Fatigue
ü
Runny nose
*Body aches
ü
Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention:
·
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
·
Bluish or grey skin color
·
Not drinking enough fluids
·
Severe or persistent vomiting
·
Not waking up or interacting
·
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
·
Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and a worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention:
·
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
·
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
·
Sudden dizziness
·
Confusion
·
Severe or persistent vomiting
·
Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and a worse cough
WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SICK
·
Avoid contact with other people such as work, school, going to the movies,
shopping, travel, graduations, birthday parties, church or other social events
·
Stay home except to see your health care provider
·
Cover your cough
·
If you must go out, wear a mask
·
Stay home for 7 days or until you are symptom free for 24hrs
CLEANING YOUR HOME
·
Throw away your tissues after every use
·
Wipe down the surfaces in your home with a household disinfectant according to
the directions on the bottle or you may use a bleach solution that is one part
bleach to 9 parts water.
·
Bed linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to those who are sick need to
be washed in hot soapy water. Do not
share these things.
MORE INFORMATION