Protecting yourself from the H1N1 flu (just because it’s spring, doesn’t mean it’s over)
Thursday, March 11th, 2010By Worcester School Committee member John Monfredo
“Be concerned but do not panic,” stated City of Worcester’s Public Health Commissioner Dr. Leonard Morse.
Throughout the country there is apprehension among the public about the danger of this particular kind of flu, H1N1. President Obama has declared the H1N1 flu outbreak a national emergency, allowing hospitals and local governments to speedily set up alternate sites for treatment and triage procedures if needed to handle any surge of an outbreak.
This year in Massachusetts there have been more than 1,500 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, with 13% of those cases hospitalized. Across the nation 36 children’s deaths have been attributed to the H1N1 virus. In the Town of Grafton, schools were closed for a few days due to high absences with students and staff.
We all have experienced the seasonal flu in past years, so what’s so different about the H1N1 flu? Although seasonal flu is most dangerous to those with weak immune systems, such as young children and the elderly, the H1N1 virus appears to be a threat to healthy, young adults. Click to continue »
