Unity Health Center Is Prepared, Not Panicked About Swine Flu

The swine flu is real, no cases have been confirmed in Oklahoma, but Unity Health Center is prepared.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there are now 50 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.  The new swine flu virus that broke out in Mexico is unique and potentially dangerous in one way. It is a virus that has a combination of gene segments from human, bird and swine viruses, and can potentially become infectious in humans that have no immunity to the new strain.

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of seasonal flu, causing fever, respiratory symptoms and body aches. The treatment for swine flu is the same treatment for other strains of influenza. Doctors will administer different medications according to your symptoms.

As reports of swine flu continue to rise in the United States and around the world, everyone is probably asking, "How should I protect myself?"

According to Vicki Milliken, Director of Infection Control at Unity Health Center, flu viruses can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing of infected people or by touching respiratory droplets on an object or person and then touching your eyes or nose or mouth before washing your hands or using alcohol hand gel.

“The best way to prevent the spread of any virus is to clean your hands with soap and water or to use an alcohol-based hand rub, which is called hand hygiene.” states Milliken. “In addition, it is extremely important to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; then dispose of the tissue in the trash immediately and perform hand hygiene. People definitely need to avoid close contact with sick people. If you get sick, you should stay home and not share it with all your friends and coworkers.”

 

Proper Hand Washing Technique:

1. Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Lather well.
2. Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds. (Tip: Sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing.)
3. Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
4. Rinse well.
5. Use a clean paper towel to turn off water.  Dispose of the paper towel.
6. Get a new paper towel and dry each hand fingertip to wrist. Then dispose of the paper towel.
7. Get another new paper towel and repeat the process on the other hand.  Always use a new paper towel for each hand. 

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which don't require water, are an excellent alternative for hand hygiene when soap and water aren't available. Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, though. Some "waterless" hand sanitizers don't contain alcohol. Use only the alcohol-based products.  To use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

1. Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand.
2. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands, until they're dry.

 “Hand hygiene is the best way to stop the spread of disease”, states Milliken.  “The bottom line is, it saves lives.”
“We are currently working with the health department and other authorities and monitoring the situation,” said Dr. David Hadley, M.D., Unity Health Center Medical Director and Hospitalist. “If you exhibit symptoms of the swine flu, contact your primary physician.”