Staff Reports
Two cases of the H1N1 (swine) flu were confirmed in Orleans County Friday, following verification from the state department Wadsworth Laboratory.
Both patients are children who sought medical assistance from their physician for flu-like symptoms.
Both are home and recovering; neither was hospitalized according to the Orleans County Health Department.
Health officials are working to determine who may have been exposed. Officials will be notifying close contacts and monitoring family members for signs of illness.
The symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting as well; these symptoms alone are not the flu.
Anyone with flu symptoms should stay at home. If you feel you need medical attention, contact your personal care physician to determine if emergency care is needed. Limit contact with others to avoid infecting them, and remember to follow simple precautionary measures:
n Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective. Use caution when using alcohol-based hand cleansers with young children due to a possible risk of alcohol poisoning.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Place your used tissue in the wastebasket. Wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
For more information regarding Swine flu, contact the Orleans County Health
Department at 589-3278. To listen to a taped update on the H1N1 Virus you can call the Health Department General Information line at 589-2744 and for printable materials and links for more information regarding Swine flu virus visit the Orleans County Web site at www.orleansny.com and click the public health link.
