Welcome to Skagit County

May 1st, 2009

MH1N1 Flu (Swine flu) update as of May 1, 2009; 3:15 pm

Swine flu has a new name: H1N1 flu. We will start using this name instead of swine flu just like the State and Federal governments are doing.

Many medical facilities county-wide are swamped with concerned patients seeking reassurance or treatment. This is very similar to seasonal flu. So far, it does not look like H1N1 flu is any easier to catch or more severe than seasonal flu. Also, just like seasonal flu, the very young, the elderly, or people with other illnesses that make them weaker may be more likely to have complications from H1N1 flu. The big difference between H1N1 flu and seasonal flu is this is a new virus to humans and there is no vaccine for it, so there is little immunity in the population to protect people.

With these points in mind, I recommend the following:

• Not everyone needs to be tested or treated. Most healthy people recover from the flu without problems.
• If you have flu-like symptoms but no other risk factors or complications (in other words, you are a fairly healthy person), you likely don’t need to go to a doctor or have a test. You should assume you have influenza (H1N1 or others) and follow the suggestions we’ve made from the beginning:

1. Stay home from work or school.
2. Protect others by covering your coughs and sneezes, and then throw the tissue away.
3. Wash your hands.
4. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Use over-the-counter medicines for fever and aches (not aspirin).

You SHOULD contact your medical provider if you have:
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Purple or blue lips
• Vomiting, and you can’t keep fluids down
• Signs of dehydration
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Are decreasingly responsiveness

Please do not come to the Health Department for testing or treatment. We have no health clinic and no testing capability on site, and will only have to refer you to your medical provider.

Howard Leibrand, MD, Skagit County Health Officer

Skagit County Public Health
Doing what we do every day to keep our community healthy!