2009

As you may know, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared a public health emergency regarding Influenza A H1N1 (Swine) Flu. Presbyterian Healthcare Services recommends that you seek care if you have a fever and a sore throat. Patients should seek care if symptoms are moderate and getting worse. Patients with a recent history of foreign travel or direct contact with someone who has traveled are at a higher risk.

The CDC also offers the following prevention steps for healthy people:

• 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.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Other H1N1 Information Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://cdc.gov/swineflu/
Swine Flu Questions and Answers from the CDC: http://cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
New Mexico Department of Health (DOH): http://www.health.state.nm.us/