Dear Nassau County Resident:
I am sure you have heard information about swine flu over the weekend. This e-mail is being sent to update you on the situation in Nassau
County.
Nassau County has a single suspect case at this time. We anticipate that
there will be more suspect cases because of increased surveillance and a
very broad definition of suspect case.
Nassau County Department of Health is in regular communication with the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of
Health as well as hospitals, other healthcare facilities, medical
societies and schools.
In order to prevent the spread of any flu-like illnesses, not just swine
flu, you should:
• Seek treatment as soon as you begin to feel sick with flu like
symptoms. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of
regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue.
• Call your health care provider first before going to a medical office
or hospital emergency room to prevent further spread of illness.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep
your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• If you are sick, stay home from work, school, and errands. Limit
contact with others to help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a
person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then
touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Do not use aspirin as a fever reducer in children under 18 years old
because of complications that may result. Use medications such as
acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress,
drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
For more information, please go to: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. For
information on how to keep you and your family prepared, please go to:
http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/.
We will keep you updated as new information arises. Up to date
information is also available for residents on the New York State Swine
Flu Hotline 1-800-808-1987. |