| Press Statement jointly released by Kathy Wood of the Calhoun Offices of Emergency Services and Minnie Hamilton Health System
Minnie Hamilton Health System has performed 93 flu tests thus far for the month of October, 2009.
There have been 9 positive results for Influenza A, (common flu) out of those nine there were three confirmed cases of H1N1 this month and 2 previously for a total of 5.
The State Health Department now only accepts 2 swabs a week for H1N1 testing therefore making an absolute count difficult to obtain.
 Dr. Suresh Balasubramony, Infection Control Director, Minnie Hamilton Health System gave the following information yesterday:
I don't want anyone to get panicked about the situation because of the flu season. I think everybody has a little scare about the swine flu.
When someone has a fever more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit associated with cough, sore throat or any nausea or vomiting they should be seen within 24 to 28 hours.
The reason is, so we can do the flu screen and if it is flu we can take the necessary steps to treat it.
When people are thinking about the flu, instead of trying something over the counter they need to come and see their medical provider and determine if it is a regular viral infection or the flu such as influenza A or swine flu if the fever is not subsiding in 24 hours.
I think it is better and safer for everyone to take the regular seasonal flu vaccination, especially the target groups of children and people older than 65 years.
If there is not a scarcity of the vaccination or a contraindication, I would recommend everyone take the flu vaccination, unless they have had an allergic reaction or hypersensitive reaction to the vaccination before, or a very rare side effect like Guillain-Barre syndrome.
If anyone has one of these things they should not take the flu vaccination, otherwise everybody should take the flu vaccination.
The swine flu vaccination will be available soon.
The target groups for early vaccination are children below 2 years, pregnant women and individuals with chronic medical problems, COPD, bronchial asthma, or some other type of immune compromised disease, HIV infection, or people who are on medications such as steroids.
Next should be people below 19 years old, long time ASA therapy people who have any chronic medical problems, kidney disease or lung disease. Some Neurological or breathing problems and then adults more than 65 years of age.
Care and Treatment:
Drink more fluids, even if someone has seasonal flu or swine flu, first treatment should be to control fever with Tylenol and Motrin and then drink plenty of fluids. If the person does not have any kind of chronic medical problems and not having any problems with breathing, Tylenol, Motrin for the fever and plenty of oral fluids should be sufficient.
Clear liquids with sugar is recommended. If you are nauseated let the soft drink go flat so it won't upset your stomach. Gatorade and chicken noodle soup are also recommended.
Everybody should be aware of the flu season and the flu going around including the seasonal and swine flu, I do not want people panicked over the situation, there are many ways to take care of them.
If they are having a fever and it is not subsiding for 24 hours they need to see a provider and have the flu screen and then treatment can be determined.
Many times people are thinking that we need to give the antiviral medications and it is not necessary that everybody should get antiviral medications. Tamiflu is only for people who have some kind of breathing or respiratory problems or high risk, more than 65 years, pregnant, chronic medical problems like asthma or COPD.
I want to stress that I recommend and encourage everyone, if no contraindication to get the flu vaccination.
| 
