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As you are aware, cases of Swine Flu Virus, which usually infects pigs, has been reported in people in
Mexico, and in the states of Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, New York and California.
It is believed to have spread to United states from vacationers returning home. Eating pork does not
appear to be a risk factor for acquiring the infection.
Because the virus has not circulated before this current outbreak, no one is immune to infection. There
is not yet a vaccine to prevent infection from Swine Flu.
There are medications available to treat the infection, but they are not effective for people with
symptoms that have lasted longer than seventy two (72) hours.
In this country, the symptoms appear to be the same as those experienced from routine Influenza infection:
a. Sore Throat
b. Cough
c. Fever
d. Body Aches
Along with these symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported.
People with flu should NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN ( Advil, Motrin, etc.) because of a possible
serious side effect. Tylenol should be used to treat the symptoms.
To prevent the spread of flu, the following measures should be used:
- Call Your Doctor.
- Those without a doctor may call the Community Health Center, the Local Health Department (612-2771) or the Hospital of Central Connecticut (224-5011).
- Keep the ill person HOME out of school or work, until the symptoms are gone.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol cleanser after contact with the sick person. Do not touch your face before you wash your hands.
- Cover the nose and mouth of the ill person with a tissue when they sneeze or cough. Use the crook of the arm if there is no tissue available.
- Limit visits to your home by outsiders who are well.
If you come in contact with someone who has flu-like symptoms, watch for those symptoms in yourself.
If they occur, follow the advice in steps one through six above (1-6).
Please feel free to call the Health Department if you have any further questions.
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