The president has declared the swine flu pandemic a “national emergency” and this will facilitate the implementation of emergency measures by local hospitals.
The Swine flu is different than the seasonal flu virus in the way in which it attacks the respiratory system: Victims have trouble breathing and get a deadly viral pneumonia that penetrates deep into the
lungs. So far, by careful observation and what has been learned from autopsies performed on those who have died here in the U.S., doctors and scientists have deducted that the very young, pregnant
women, women, the obese, and those with reduced immunity are more in danger of becoming ill from it.
Many of those who become ill will recover without any major problem, but a few will experience a severe respiratory illness that could result in death.
There will probably not be enough vaccine for everyone and there is new talk that it will take two vaccinations to protect people from the swine flu.
This pandemic is serious business and the medical community will be taxed to the limit trying to care for so many gravely ill patients; so, much is expected from community volunteers and businesses
that can provide resources for the care of those who become ill.
Your local Health Department will take direction from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta and will have a major role in the mass vaccination and prevention activity in the community.
Contact your family physician and follow his/her advice, also contact your hospital, your health care department, your pharmacist and your emergency medical service team to find out what you should do, and what they are doing to prepare for the Swine Flu pandemic. Ask you employer what their flu prevention and recovery policy is.
And don’t forget that this is the regular flu season and that you also need to get vaccinated for the regular influenza virus.
LOUIS GINESI DOMINGUEZ
Gainesville
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