H1N1 case confirmed in area

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ESCANABA - The first case of H1N1 (swine) flu in Delta County was confirmed by Public Health, Delta and Menominee Counties Tuesday. Despite the continued spread of the virus, medical experts say the vast majority of cases are not serious.

"The person affected is a child who is doing well and recovering at home," said Dr. Teresa Frankovich, the Health Department's Medical director, in a news release. "There's no travel history for this child, so my assumption is that there probably are other cases in the county, it's just that this child had the confirmatory case done in lab. There are probably others in the county who have this flu."

While the virus continues to spread nationally - there are more than 20,000 cases reported in the U.S. and more than 600 in Michigan - medical experts say the vast majority of cases are not serious.

"In the vast majority of cases, people who have the virus are like this child, where they get better," said Frankovich. "People just need to take the usual preventative measures they would during regular flu season."

Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are generally mild and include fever, cough, sore throat and nasal congestion.

If someone is experiencing the symptoms and are concerned, Frankovich suggests contacting a physician. A physician can evaluate them in terms of the patient's history and decide whether treatment is needed.

As with the traditional flu, a smaller number of people have had more severe illness.

"While vast majority of cases are mild, there have been more severe cases of illness with people hospitalized, and there have been some deaths related to the virus, it's important to remember that in our regular flu season, without this particular flu, there are approximately 36,000 deaths a year," said Frankovich. "Hospitalization and death are things we're used to when it comes to the flu."

Those considered at a higher risk of a more serious influenza illness include children under 5 years old, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women and anyone with a number of chronic diseases including respiratory disease, heart disease, diabetes, or decreased immune function.

Lanna Scannell, OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center community relations manager, said the hospital has a county-wide influenza preparedness planning committee that works on educating the public on how to stay healthy, and avoid contracting illnesses.

"We try to stress the importance of hand hygiene," she said. "It's important to wash hands frequently or use a hand sanitizer if you are unable to wash your hands."

Other key prevention methods include washing hands before eating, avoiding touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth, and coughing and sneezing into a tissue, since the flu virus is typically best spread through droplets sprayed with coughing and sneezing.

She also suggests simple prevention such as staying active, eating health foods, and avoiding contact with people who are sick, said Frankovich.

Frankovich said there is also an anti-viral medicine that has been developed and is available at area pharmacies.

Unlike a vaccine, the medicine is not completely, however it can lessen the symptoms of the illness if it is contracted, and can also help prevent people from getting sick if they have been exposed.

The H1N1 vaccine is currently being developed and may be available in the fall, in time for the regular flu season, according to Frankovich.