Fitness And Health

Today, 9/3/2009 100 kids are being sent home from the 4H State Fair in Minnesota.  State health officials believe that they have contained the flu and stopped it’s spread.  You can read the complete story at the Minneapolis Star & Tribune website.

Swine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

How Swine Flu Is Spread

Influenza virus is believed to be spread by respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.  The droplets can be propelled through the air and are pulled in to the nose and mouth of people nearby.  The virus may also spread when a person touches the infected droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose before they wash their hands.  Containing the droplets and clean hands are the best prevention we have just now.

Government Swine Flu Information Source

Swine flu promises a larger outbreak this fall and will fall in along side seasonal flu.  The government has created a website that has the latest alerts and information on the spread and how to prevent Swine Flu (h1n1): http://flu.gov/ Check the site to find live webcasts.

Pregnant Women And New Mom’s Are At A Higher Risk From The Flu

This webcast from Health and Human Services talks about what pregnant women and new mom’s should be aware of in regard to swine flu dangers.

Here Is What The Department of Health And Human Services Reports Now:

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with this H1N1 virus were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. All U.S. states have since reported cases of H1N1 flu infection in humans. As part of the federal government response to the H1N1 virus, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration on April 26, 2009.(Press Release)  On July 23, 2009, Secretary Sebelius signed a renewal of the determination that a public health emergency exists.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world.

Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

Other Swine Flu Reports From Around The Web

• The Haverblog » Blog Archive » Sir Tom (Donnelly) – arbor day arboretum Astrid Farnsworth AYA bees Ben Affleck campus life Clinton visit commencement customs week dogwood Emma Buckingham fencing Fringe Haver-film haverfest holiday traditions Joan Countryman Joe Schwartz ’83 legends Lloyd Hall Luke Wilson nature trail Norm Pearlstine ’64 Obama visit Parks you don’t get much more winning-er than this. For you alums who competed under Tom, enjoy this video clip. To put this man into perspective, running into Tom in his element is like running into Sir Paul McCartney outside Abbey Road Studios.
• WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases – WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases.
• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Related Links – H1N1 Flu related links resources page.
• What’s Up With this Swine Flu—Oops, I Mean the H1N1 Virus – What do you make of all this business of the swine flu? I watch these news stories with all these people walking around wearing masks and wonder what to make of the whole thing. I guess because my whole life I have been around people …