October 15, 2009

Well, it’s flu season again. October seems to herald the arrival of various strains of the dreaded disease. This year we at NECC are also braced for the Swine Flu, often called H1N1. We recommend that youngsters and all pregnant women get immunized against Swine Flu in addition to regular flu shots or nasals sprays (for children).

To help you chart your way through the hysteria and rumors so prevalent this year, we’ve devoted most of our October E-News to the Swine Flu.

To prevent catching the flu, a bit of common sense goes a long way. Avoid people who are coughing or sneezing. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and several times a day. Hand sanitizers are also a good idea. Be sure you wash down your desk, computer keyboard and kitchen counters with antibacterial solutions daily.

If you feel the flu coming on, stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and contact your health professionals. If you have a chronic disease like diabetes, asthma or hypertension, be sure to get a flu shot right away.

At NECC, our 11 clinics located throughout the Los Angeles basin, our staff will treat you with dignity and respect, regardless of your ability to pay.

At NECC, we believe good health is a right, not a privilege.

-Christopher Lau, MD
NECC Executive Director/CEO

What You Can Do To Stay Healthy

Stay informed. We've got lots of information about the H1N1 flu, and we'll post updates regularly as information becomes available.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.

Questions and Answers about the seasonal flu shot.

Visit the CDC website for thorough and up-to-date information about the H1N1 flu.

Visit Flu.Gov for additional information.

Take a look at these informative PSAs. Elmo shows you how to sneeze!

More shareable PSA's at Flu.Gov

What To Do If You Get Sick: 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

How do I know if I have the flu?

You may have the flu if you have some or all of these symptoms:

• fever *
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
  *It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms this flu season, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu.

However, some people are more likely to get flu complications and they should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms this season.

They are:

• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 65 and older
• Pregnant women

and people who have:

• Cancer
• Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
• Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
• Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)

Also, it’s possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider.

Emergency Warning Signs

Also, there are emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should get medical care right away.

In children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it

Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1?

Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 called “antiviral drugs.” These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. This flu season, antiviral drugs are being used mainly to treat people who are very sick, such as people who need to be hospitalized, and to treat sick people who are more likely to get serious flu complications. Your health care provider will decide whether antiviral drugs are needed to treat your illness. Remember, most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu.

How long should I stay home if I’m sick?

CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®.) You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

What should I do while I’m sick?

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. And wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others. CDC has information on “Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home”.

Diabetes Information At NECC

Healthnet and Sanofi Pasteur will present diabetic education classes in Spanish for NECC patients throughout October. Everyone is welcome, even if you don't have insurance.

Classes

Click here for clinic locations and maps.

Download the flyer in English or in Spanish

Refreshments will be served.

NECC Participates In Boyle Heights Fair

More than 1,500 residents attended a health and safety fair hosted by Assemblyman John A. Pérez at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club in Boyle Heights recently.

And NECC was there to offer information about health care and to provide free blood sugar and pressure screening.

The 46th Assembly District has one of the highest rates of uninsured and under-insured residents of any district in the state. “This lack of coverage has devastating impacts, both financial and personal, for many families in Boyle Heights and throughout the district,” said Assemblyman Pérez.

Among other NECC Board Members present, Dr. Silvia Pacheco-Olivas was once again screening blood sugar and pressure for attendees. NECC Executive Director/CEO was also on hand to assist NECC staff distributing educational materials and give-aways throughout the day.

Entertainment included traditional Mexican folk dancing by children and adults.