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Swine flu: No cause for panic, but Alphas can take some precautions, says Alpha-1 Foundation clinical director
MIAMI – While there is cause for concern about the swine flu infections reported in Mexico, the United States and elsewhere, there is “no cause for panic,” said Alpha-1 Foundation Clinical Director Robert A. Sandhaus, MD, PhD.
However, those with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency can take some precautions, he said. It is especially important right now for Alphas to avoid anyone with signs of a cold, flu or any other infection.
Sandhaus suggested that Alphas keep up to date on the situation in the news and consider asking their doctor for a prescription for the flu treatment Tamiflu, which has been shown to be effective as a flu treatment and preventative – but only if taken in the first 48 hours after flu symptoms develop, or if a family member comes down with flu symptoms.
Alphas are also advised to know what the most common flu symptoms are:
While people with this new strain share all the usual symptoms of someone with influenza infection (usually called just “the flu’), doctors caring for the swine flu patients have pointed out that high fevers, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting are the most prominent symptoms in the patients they’ve seen. Other symptoms commonly associated with the flu include:
- Headache
- Tiredness (can be extreme)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold can have similar symptoms. It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. A doctor’s exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication of the flu. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu as long you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness.
If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your healthcare provider. Those at high risk for complications include people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions such as Alpha-1 with lung or liver disease, pregnant women, and young children.
People with disease due to Alpha-1 should consider avoiding travel to Mexico or areas in the US that have been sites of infection unless absolutely necessary.
President Obama said today that the swine flu is “not a cause for alarm” but noted that his administration’s Department of Health and Human Services “has declared a public health emergency as a precautionary tool to ensure that we have the resources we need at our disposal to respond quickly and effectively.”
As of Monday morning there were 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in the US, but no deaths. As of Sunday, all those Americans recovered without hospitalization, except for one case. Mexico has been hard hit with the disease, with more than 1,600 confirmed cases and more than 100 deaths reported.
