436th Medical Group ready for H1N1 Flu

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 91 cases of the H1N1 flu outbreak confirmed in Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Kansas, Ohio and Texas as of April 29 at 11:00.

None of these cases have involved Delaware families, but the 436th Medical Group is always prepared to care for Team Dover.

"Swine flu is generally caught by pigs, hence the name, and has been transferred to people who have been around sick animals," said Lt. Col. Peter Kovats, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander. "Just like any other flu, the symptoms include coughing, sneezing, headache and a 100.5 degree fever or higher."

The two anti-viral drugs used to fight the H1N1 flu, relenza and tamiflu, can be prescribed at the 436th MDG. If taken early enough, the anti-viral drugs can cut down on the amount of time a patient is sick.

"This is not a panic situation. If a patient sees the doctor within the first 24 to 36 hours of having the symptoms, they will be able to treat a patient with the anti-viral medicine, and it will help shorten the course of the illness," said Colonel Kovats. "Once they're past the two-day point, the medications will not have an effect on the amount of time a person would spend sick."

If a patient does come in with flu-like symptoms, the 436th MDG asks that they pick up a paper mask available in stands at the entrances to help prevent the spread of the disease to other patients.

"The paper masks help protect not only the patients, but also our doctors," said Master Sgt. Elizabeth Dahlquist, 436th AMDS NCO in-charge of public health. "We have stands with paper masks, hand sanitizer and tissues at every entrance."

There are steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of germs and diseases.

"Hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and staying home or away from others when they have symptoms can help prevent passing the germs around," said Staff Sgt. Pedro Pena, 436th AMDS NCO in-charge of communicable disease. "A lot of people make the mistake of coughing into their hand and then they go around opening doors or touching things. Coughing into their sleeve stops the spread of germs."

Another aspect of preventing disease is physical fitness.

"Generally staying healthy is one of the best health mechanisms next to hand washing," said Sergeant Dahlquist. "Being well rested, lowering stress and watching what you eat can protect you not just from the flu, but from other sicknesses."

The current flu shot, while not currently designed to fight the H1N1 flu, does battle the other types of flu and is still available at the 436th MDG.

"We have that vaccine available until the end of June," said Colonel Kovats. "Those are available to active duty members and their families, reservists and retirees."

For more tips on how to protect yourself and your families, visit: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/