A second case of swine influenza A (H1N1) has been confirmed on the West Coast with a male teenager in the Greymouth area both testing positive for the virus.
Under the "manage it" procedure not all influenza cases are reported to public health authorities as people deal with their influenza by themselves at home. Therefore although the West Coast has only had two confirmed cases to date, it is highly likely that there are more cases in the community that will not have been tested.
With winter well underway, seasonal flu and colds have become fairly common once again. It is easy to confuse winter flu with a common cold because they both make people feel generally unwell.
The common cold is a mild viral infection of the nose and throat. Its symptoms can include sneezing, sniffing, a blocked or runny nose, a scratchy sore throat, coughing and a headache.
Seasonal flu is an acute viral infection caused by an influenza virus. Flu symptoms can include a sudden onset of high fever (above 38.3C), chills, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, sore throat and runny nose.
Both colds and flu last for about five or six days and are transmitted through coughing, sneezing and by touching your nose, eyes or mouth after you have touched something contaminated by the virus.
Taking plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids (water and fresh fruit juice) will help treat colds and flu. Some over-the-counter remedies may also help ease the symptoms, including paracetamol for fever and pain.
The vast majority of people with flu recover within a week without requiring hospitalisation or medical attention. However, flu can cause severe illness or death in people at high risk of developing complications. These high-risk groups include children younger than two, adults aged 65 or older, and people of any age with certain medical conditions such as chronic heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions (including asthma), diabetes or weakened immune systems.
People should not hesitate to seek medical advice if they are in a high-risk group, or if they are getting sicker.
Phone Healthline (0800 611 116) or your healthcare provider for health advice.
Things to watch out for are:
General information on the signs and symptoms of influenza, and advice on how to care for yourself and others at home are available on the following links.
This includes specific information for those caring for babies and young children:
There are three key actions that can lessen the risks of contracting or passing on influenza.
For more information please contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email:
or
Dr Cheryl Brunton
Medical Officer of Health, West Coast
Community and Public Health
3 Tarapuhi Street
PO Box 443
Greymouth
Phone: (03) 768-1160
Fax: (03) 768-1169