H1N1 Hospitalization Update

Sept. 30, 2009 There have been three H1N1 related hospitalizations in La Plata County since September 1, 2009 (the official start of this year's 2009-10 flu season). This includes two 17 year old females and one 48 year old male. The following Media Release is from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

DENVER--9-30-09 State health officials continue to see an increase in metropolitan-area emergency department and outpatient clinic visits due to influenza-like illness, including by some individuals who are not “high risk” for complications from influenza and are otherwise not severely ill. The state’s chief medical officer, Ned Calonge, said people with uncomplicated flu illness who are not considered "high-risk,” based on age or medical condition, do not need to be seen by a health care provider and do not need to be tested for H1N1. “For most people, the H1N1 flu is an unpleasant illness, similar to seasonal flu, but an illness they can weather at home with rest, fluids and over-the-counter fever medications. While we certainly want individuals who are very ill, or are at high risk for complications, to timely seek the medical care they need, we want to encourage other individuals to call their physician or usual source of care if possible before making a trip to the office or the emergency room,” he said. Calonge said individuals with moderate flu-like symptoms who go to an emergency room may have to wait several hours to be seen, then may be sent home without treatment, especially if they do not require hospitalization or are not at high risk for complications. He recommended the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Home Care Guide that provides information about caring for sick individuals at home. The guide is available in English and Spanish at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/Public/H1N1/HomeHealthcare/HomeHealthcare.html Calonge said individuals who are hospitalized with H1N1 receive antiviral medication such as Tamiflu, but treatment is not recommended for most individuals with influenza-like illness as they will recover from the flu without treatment. He reminded people that they should stay home from school or work for 24 hours after their fever has subsided, off fever-lowering medications. “Along with the increase in outpatient visits, we also are seeing an increase in hospitalizations. This is an unfortunate reminder of how vital it is for parents to keep sick children home from school, in order to mitigate the impact of the flu while we await the availability of the vaccine,” Calonge cautioned. He provided the following reminders about who should seek care and when. High-Risk Individuals for Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza Individuals who are at higher risk for complications for H1N1 and seasonal flu and may need to see a health care provider include the following: - infants and young children - pregnant women - people 65 years of age and older (for seasonal flu only) - people of any age with lung disease (including asthma); heart disease; or weakened immune systems from cancer, HIV or immunosuppressive medications - people with kidney disease, diabetes, or neurological and neuromuscular diseases - people younger than 19 years with diseases requiring long-term aspirin therapy - individuals with other chronic diseases Signs that Individuals May Need to See a Health Care Provider Signs that a child may be sicker and should be seen by a health care provider include the following: - difficulty breathing or fast breathing - bluish or gray skin color - fever lasting more than three days - dehydration (no urination in 12 hours) - severe or persistent vomiting - not waking up or not interacting - very irritable and not wanting to be held - flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough Signs that an adult may be sicker and should be seen by a health care provider include the following: - difficulty breathing or shortness of breath - pain or pressure in the chest - confusion or increasing lethargy (sluggishness) - severe or persistent vomiting - persistent fever and cough Use of Antivirals Such as Tamiflu for Flu Treatment Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all people hospitalized with a flu-related illness, and for those with the flu who are at increased risk for severe illness. For individuals without chronic conditions or who are not in a high-risk age group, and who otherwise are tolerating the flu without the warning signs listed above, Tamiflu treatment is not recommended by the CDC. State health officials encourage individuals to avoid the flu by getting seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations when the vaccines are available and to practice good hygiene by - frequently washing hands; - coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm, rather than uncovered or in your hand; - avoiding people with respiratory illness; - staying home from work or school when sick, returning only after fever has subsided for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication. For information about seasonal or 2009 H1N1 influenza, call CoHELP at 1-877-462-2911 or visit the department’s Web site at www.colorado.gov/nofluforyou ---30---