BRMC Physicians Strive to
Inform Public About H1N1 Flu
By George Nianiatus, senior writer/media manager
Communications & Marketing Department
Upper Allegheny Health System
The chance of getting the H1N1 flu can be greatly reduced by getting a vaccination, as supplies become available, practicing good hygiene etiquette and making sure those who’ve contracted the flu stay home until their symptoms subside so it’s not spread to others.
Those are just a few of the key points being made by Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) Brian Walters, D. O., Emergency Department chairman, and Rebecca Truax Miller, M.D., of Pediatric Associates as they strive to inform the public about what should be done as the global pandemic continues to unfold. Dr. Miller also is chairman of Pediatrics and president of BRMC’s Medical Staff.
“Getting the vaccine is the most important prevention measure people can take,” said Dr. Miller.
As more H1N1 vaccine becomes available, BRMC will schedule additional clinics, the physicians said.
The H1N1 vaccine, procured by the U.S. government from four manufacturers, is being offered either as an injection containing an inert virus or a nasal spray with a weakened live virus.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that eventually there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone who wants to receive it, but that may be weeks or months away.
To combat the H1N1 flu, it’s also vital to practice good hygiene etiquette by washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers, and covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, said Dr. Walters.
“The H1N1 virus can be spread through the droplets of sneezes or coughs, or touching surfaces infected by people with the virus,” noted Dr. Miller.
To protect others, people should use a tissue to cover a sneeze or cough. If that’s not possible, people are urged to sneeze or cough into their elbow and not their hand, said Dr. Walters.
“This method also avoids infecting your hands and keeps germs from spreading to people or surfaces around you,” he noted.
Unlike the seasonal flu which targets the elderly and those with medical conditions, the H1N1 flu particularly strikes children, young adults and those with medical conditions.
“We have more children with the flu for this time of the year,” said Dr. Miller.
The H1N1 flu causes symptoms similar to seasonal flu and can include fever, coughing and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea, the physicians said.
“Some of these symptoms can last for seven to 10 days,” Dr. Walters said.
People infected with H1N1 flu are contagious one day before getting sick and up to seven days afterwards, Dr. Walters noted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated the high-risk categories which should get H1N1 flu vaccination are: those between the ages of six months and 24 years; pregnant women; parents, household members or caregivers of children under six months; healthcare providers and emergency services personnel; and individuals younger than age 65 with underlying health conditions including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.
Dr. Walters said other high-risk groups for H1N1 include those with disorders that can compromise respiratory function, immunosuppression caused by medication or by HIV, those under age 19 who are on chronic aspirin therapy, and individuals over age 65.
In the event a person does become sick, they should stay at home. This step is one of the best ways to keep the H1N1 flu from spreading, the physicians said.
Additionally, individuals must stay at home until at least 24 hours after their fever ends naturally, meaning without the use of fever-reducing medication.
“Those with the flu should avoid contact with others as much as possible,” Dr. Miller said.
Additionally, drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks and electrolyte beverages to keep from being dehydrated, Dr. Miller said. “Flu sufferers should get plenty of rest as well.”
Meanwhile, “H1N1 flu sufferers should watch for worsening symptoms which may require emergency care,” said Dr. Walters.
In children, Dr. Walters said the warning signs that emergency medical care is required include: fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish or gray skin color; not drinking enough fluids; severe or persistent vomiting; not waking up or 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; and fever with a rash.
In adults, the emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention are: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest of abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; and flu-like symptoms improve but then return.
“To be safe, individuals in the highest risk categories suffering with severe symptoms should come to the Emergency Department,” Dr. Walters said.
Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital are members of Upper Allegheny Health System. For more information about Bradford Regional, Olean General or Upper Allegheny, go online at http://www.brmc.com/, http://www.ogh.org/ or http://www.uahs.org/.
To listen to a recent LiveLine with doctors Walters and Miller on this topic, click here.
Communications & Marketing Department
Upper Allegheny Health System
The chance of getting the H1N1 flu can be greatly reduced by getting a vaccination, as supplies become available, practicing good hygiene etiquette and making sure those who’ve contracted the flu stay home until their symptoms subside so it’s not spread to others.Those are just a few of the key points being made by Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) Brian Walters, D. O., Emergency Department chairman, and Rebecca Truax Miller, M.D., of Pediatric Associates as they strive to inform the public about what should be done as the global pandemic continues to unfold. Dr. Miller also is chairman of Pediatrics and president of BRMC’s Medical Staff.
“Getting the vaccine is the most important prevention measure people can take,” said Dr. Miller.
As more H1N1 vaccine becomes available, BRMC will schedule additional clinics, the physicians said.
The H1N1 vaccine, procured by the U.S. government from four manufacturers, is being offered either as an injection containing an inert virus or a nasal spray with a weakened live virus.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that eventually there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone who wants to receive it, but that may be weeks or months away.
To combat the H1N1 flu, it’s also vital to practice good hygiene etiquette by washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers, and covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, said Dr. Walters.
“The H1N1 virus can be spread through the droplets of sneezes or coughs, or touching surfaces infected by people with the virus,” noted Dr. Miller.
To protect others, people should use a tissue to cover a sneeze or cough. If that’s not possible, people are urged to sneeze or cough into their elbow and not their hand, said Dr. Walters.
“This method also avoids infecting your hands and keeps germs from spreading to people or surfaces around you,” he noted.
Unlike the seasonal flu which targets the elderly and those with medical conditions, the H1N1 flu particularly strikes children, young adults and those with medical conditions.“We have more children with the flu for this time of the year,” said Dr. Miller.
The H1N1 flu causes symptoms similar to seasonal flu and can include fever, coughing and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea, the physicians said.
“Some of these symptoms can last for seven to 10 days,” Dr. Walters said.
People infected with H1N1 flu are contagious one day before getting sick and up to seven days afterwards, Dr. Walters noted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated the high-risk categories which should get H1N1 flu vaccination are: those between the ages of six months and 24 years; pregnant women; parents, household members or caregivers of children under six months; healthcare providers and emergency services personnel; and individuals younger than age 65 with underlying health conditions including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.
Dr. Walters said other high-risk groups for H1N1 include those with disorders that can compromise respiratory function, immunosuppression caused by medication or by HIV, those under age 19 who are on chronic aspirin therapy, and individuals over age 65.
In the event a person does become sick, they should stay at home. This step is one of the best ways to keep the H1N1 flu from spreading, the physicians said.
Additionally, individuals must stay at home until at least 24 hours after their fever ends naturally, meaning without the use of fever-reducing medication.
“Those with the flu should avoid contact with others as much as possible,” Dr. Miller said.
Additionally, drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks and electrolyte beverages to keep from being dehydrated, Dr. Miller said. “Flu sufferers should get plenty of rest as well.”
Meanwhile, “H1N1 flu sufferers should watch for worsening symptoms which may require emergency care,” said Dr. Walters.
In children, Dr. Walters said the warning signs that emergency medical care is required include: fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish or gray skin color; not drinking enough fluids; severe or persistent vomiting; not waking up or 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; and fever with a rash.
In adults, the emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention are: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest of abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; and flu-like symptoms improve but then return.
“To be safe, individuals in the highest risk categories suffering with severe symptoms should come to the Emergency Department,” Dr. Walters said.
Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital are members of Upper Allegheny Health System. For more information about Bradford Regional, Olean General or Upper Allegheny, go online at http://www.brmc.com/, http://www.ogh.org/ or http://www.uahs.org/.
To listen to a recent LiveLine with doctors Walters and Miller on this topic, click here.
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