Swine Flu Outbreak

I am sure you have been reading online and seeing television stories about the current "swine flu" outbreak that began in Mexico and now is affecting the United States and Europe. This morning brought a report that a case has been reported in Elyria, just west of us. So far, all cases in the U.S. have been in people with contact in Mexico.
We would like to reassure our families and suggest remaining calm. While "swine flu" sounds scary and makes for great headlines, the fact is that the number of reported cases in the U.S. is still small and those affected have had mild courses of the illness.
By way of review, swine flu is a strain of influenza that comes about by influenza viruses from pigs and humans combining. The current swine flu also contains some elements from the strain found in birds. This combination happens all the time. It is only when the combination results in a strain very different from human strains that rapid spread can occur. It does NOT mean that the illness is more severe than standard influenza.
The symptoms are the same as those for standard flu: high fever, severe cough, muscle aches, sore throat, and headache. This is NOT a "stomach flu" with vomiting and diarrhea. If you have minor runny nose, congestion, and mild cough you do NOT have the swine flu. The incubation period is about 48 hours, meaning symptoms appear within 48 hours of exposure. The illness usually begins suddenly and lasts about 7-10 days.
Prevention is the key. Please continue to use the same sanitary precautions we recommend during cold and flu season all winter

• WASH HANDS!!
• Avoid close contact with people with obvious respiratory symptoms
• Have your children change clothes after school

The influenza vaccine (flu shot or FluMist) that your child received last fall does NOT protect against this new strain. If your child or any close family member develops the symptoms described above, please contact our office, as treatments are available to limit the severity and duration of the illness.