STEPS TO SLOW PANDEMIC SPREAD
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 -- 12:24 PM
The word ?pandemic? has some scary connotations, but the H1N1 pandemic has been very mild.Now, there?s no denying a lot of people are getting sick. That?s exactly what pandemic means: it's a disease outbreak occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.
As is the case with the Swine Flu, pandemics usually occur because the human population has not built up an immunity to the infection.
Most people that are getting the flu are experiencing just mild symptoms, but, they should take steps not to infect other people.
"We are recommending sick people stay home at least 24 hours after they no longer have signs of a fever," explains Chris Smith with Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville, "and this should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medicines."
Schools should consider taking steps that might reduce the urge of sick students to come to class and spread the illness to others, Smith says.
The CDC recommends everyone should have a plan should they become sick. Families should consider how they'll keep kids occupied if they have to stay home for a few days.
"Even a business plan, if you have large amounts of employees that are out sick. How are you going to the continuity of business," Smith says.
Local health officials say they've seen an increase in flu-like illnesses in recent weeks, and many we talk to expect it to become much worse in the coming weeks and months.
Memorial Med is teaming up with the Clark County Department of Public Health to host a community information forum on H1N1 next Tuesday, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the M & I Bank meeting room.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.