With increasing concern that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) is spreading across our state and nation, I want to make sure that you know where to find the most up to date information regarding this serious situation.
Our office is being updated on a regular basis regarding the spread of this virus and we are closely monitoring school closures near or in House District 96.
Below is some basic information provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding swine flu:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
If you are experiencing symptoms, call your health care provider.
More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm. You may also visit the State's Office of Emergency Management for daily reports regarding how H1N1 is affecting our state -- http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/index.htm. Finally, for local information, you may visit the Tarrant County Public Health website at http://www.tarrantcounty.com/eHealth/site/default.asp.
If you have questions or concerns regarding what the state is doing to address the H1N1 virus situation, please do not hesitate to contact my district director, Matthew Geske, by calling 817-478-5096.
As always, if you need help with any state matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are here to serve you.
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