Currently on the West Coast we have had one confirmed case and four probable cases of swine influenza A(H1N1) in the Westport area and one confirmed case and two probable cases in the Greymouth area.
West Coast Medical Officer of Health, Dr Cheryl Brunton, offers some advice for those who might be contemplating Swine flu parties.
"While it may seem like a good idea to get what has been described as a mild-moderate illness now and become immune so as to be protected from later, potentially more serious waves of the disease, this logic is flawed for a couple of important reasons".
The new strain of influenza (A/H1N1 or 'swine flu') has been described as mild-moderate, but it's still influenza, and not the common cold.People with the infection will still have several days of illness with fever, cough, muscle aches, headache and will have to stay home from work or school until they are well. Some, who are at higher risk of complications, will get seriously unwell and may need hospitalisation and a few will die. What we know from the epidemiology of the disease so far is that some of the conditions that put people at risk of serious complications form this infection are common ones, like asthma and pregnancy, and that younger people are bearing the brunt of this infection. In the case of usual seasonal influenza, it is the elderly and those with chronic diseases who are at most risk of complications and death.
The other issue is the question of protection from a second, more serious wave of infection. We don't actually know how this pandemic will evolve and there's no guarantee that there will be a second (or more) waves of more serious disease. This might happen, or the disease might die out altogether, or it might mutate or recombine with seasonal influenza viruses and increase in virulence - we simply don't know. So, deliberately getting infected with swine flu now is a long shot to take with your health in the present to reduce an unknown risk in the future.
Phone Healthline (0800 611 116) or your healthcare provider for health advice.
Things to watch out for are:
If you've been unwell for three or four days and are not getting any better or are feeling worse
A high temperature (above 38.3oC) that is not responding to attempts to reduce it
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach
If you cough up bloody or green phlegm
Blue skin around the lips and/or blue skin on fingertips
Severe pain in the ear(s)
Severe vomiting
Difficulty waking up or feeling disoriented or confused
Fits or uncontrolled shaking
If you started to feel better but then get a high fever and start to feel unwell again
Inability to keep fluids down.
Other signs of becoming more sick such as children becoming more irritable and not eating and drinking
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:
When to seek medical advice
Protecting yourself and others
What to do if you have the flu
Caring for someone with the flu
Caring for a baby or child with the flu
There are three key actions that can lessen the risks of contracting or passing on influenza.
Cover coughs and sneezes
Wash hands frequently
If unwell, stay at home
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