Health Department opens flu phone bank

The Winnebago County Health Department opened a Swine-origin Influenza A Virus phone bank today to allow residents to obtain more information on the virus, including the signs and symptoms and how to remain healthy.

The phone bank number is 815-720-4242. It will be open initially weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Health Department spokeswoman Sue Fuller said that, as of early this afternoon, no cases of S-OIV had been confirmed in Winnebago County but that the department is preparing in the event that there are local cases as the flu outbreak spreads.

“We’ve had about two dozen calls today,” Fuller said, “and we will have three to four people available to answer questions unless an increase in the volume of calls would dictate a need for more people and longer hours of operation, and that probably would occur if we start identifying cases locally.”

Symptoms of the swine flu virus have been similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, stuffy or runny nose, headache, chills and fatigue. In some cases, there maybe vomiting and diarrhea.

Other criteria for identifying the virus include whether the person has recently visited Mexico, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Texas or New York City; whether the person lives with someone who has recently visited Mexico; whether someone in the household has flu-like symptoms; whether the person has recently been on an airplane; and whether the person has a fever over 100.4 degrees.

The incubation period for adults is one to five days from exposure. Infected people are contagious from one day before they begin showing symptoms to up to seven days after they become ill. The period may be longer for children.

Also today, Rockford schools began asking parents to describe their child’s symptoms when they call to report students who stay home sick.

The new procedure is part of an effort to assist the Health Department in monitoring possible swine flu cases, district officials said in a news release.

Principals, clerical workers and other attendance staff received instructions this afternoon from Superintendent Linda Hernandez to immediately start collecting additional information concerning student absences.

Schools also received forms to report symptoms associated with swine flu, including fever, cough, sore throat and vomiting.

“Parents typically are not asked to explain the nature of a student’s illness and are not required to do so now,” said Mary Fisher, health services supervisor for the district. “However, it is important for us to cooperate with local health officials. Because of the size of our enrollment, Rockford schools may be able to give the earliest indication of an outbreak.”

School officials sent letters home with students Tuesday explaining swine flu, its symptoms and precautionary measures.

Data on the nature of student illnesses will be reported to local health officials daily.

This outbreak of S-OIV in humans has the potential to cease to be an issue, or become a greater concern.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a Web page with information and updates.

For further information, go to the sites for the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine or the Winnebago County Health Department at wchd.org.

Health department recommendations
The Winnebago County Health Department has the following recommendations to reduce chances of contracting or spreading the Swine-origin Influenza A Virus:

Wash hands frequently.

Sneeze and cough into a tissue, dispose tissue, and wash hands. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm (sleeve).

Avoid touching hands to nose and mouth.

Contact your physician if you meet criteria associated with the virus and are having symptoms.

If anyone in your household is sick, everyone in household should stay home.

Additional recommendations when caring for sick people:
Check with their physician for any special care recommendations if there is a pre-existing condition — pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, diabetes.

Check with their physician about whether they should take antiviral medications.

Stay home for seven days after start of illness and fever is gone.

Get plenty of rest.

Drink clear fluids.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

Avoid contact with others.

Be watchful for emergency warning signs that may indicate additional care is needed, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, purple or blue discoloration of lips, vomiting and inability to keep liquids down, signs of dehydration, seizures, lack of responsiveness or confusion.