Strafford School

 
The Nurse at CBNA attended an H1N1 briefing on Wednesday—one of four held in the state during the last week, and wanted to share important information with the community.

·         ILI=Influenza Like Illness. Fever of 100 degrees or more accompanied by a sore throat and/or cough. As              many as 40% also have diarrhea or vomiting. Incubation period is 1-7 days. Individuals are contagious     the day before symptoms begin and until they are fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing             medications (ie. Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve).

·         NH has set up a new H1N1 hotline—you can dial “211” or go to 211NH.org and talk with a medical             professional regarding any questions or concerns

·         H1N1 is predicted to affect 30% of the population over the next 6 months with a <1% mortality.  This             virus is disproportionally affecting pregnant women (4 times as likely) and young people (up to age 24).

·         As we know now, PCPs are not routinely testing individuals with ILI (influenza like illness) symptoms                 unless they are getting sicker or are hospitalized.  Of all the tests that have been done—200+ are positive             for H1N1, and only 1 tested positive for Flu B.
 
·         Rapid diagnostic tests (used at some Urgent Care Centers and ERs are NOT recommended at this time             because of high false negative rates.)
·         PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION

       H1N1  vaccine is the   #1 prevention

*Studies show it is safe and has rapid efficacy—see more detail at immunize.org as well as www.nih.gov and                                www.cdc.gov websites. In all scientific studies done on H1N1 vaccine trials there have been no reports of severe side effects, but rather mild side effects as there are with the seasonal flu vaccine.
*Recommended for ALL individuals <65 years old unless you have a severe egg allergy, severe allergy to prior flu vaccine, or have a history of Gillian Barre Syndrome
·   NH is getting the H1N1 vaccine and is distributing it to PCPs. The three target populations that can receive the vaccine now are:       *children 6 months to 18 years of age with health conditions
                                        *pregnant women
                                        *healthcare workers who have direct contact with ILI individuals
Community-wide/ School clinics will start in late November-December.(depending on initial uptake from high risk groups listed above, and vaccine availability)  CBNA has offered to host an H1N1 clinic when available. They will keep me posted. However, I still recommend to please also contact your  PCP for vaccine availability.

     PLEASE CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP STRAFFORD HEALTHY.

     * Use good hand washing technique
     * Cough into a tissue or elbow (not hands)
     * Stay home when sick and FEVER FREE for 24 hours without medication
     * Take temperature, to check for fever of 100° or more