Swine Flu Not as Hard on Elderly as Seasonal Flu
By Lindy Taylor, MD
The swine flu is a type of Influenza
A called H1N1. It was initially called
swine flu because it was thought that it
was transmitted to humans from pigs. Al
though that is not entirely true, the media
continues to reference swine flu, though
the Centers for Disease Control are now
referring to the HINI flu.
H1N1 is just one of the many-types
of flu viruses and has been around at
least since 1918. There have been mini
outbreaks of H1N1 flues several times
since 1918, including the strain that
surfaced in the 1940s and the 1970s. The
2009 H1N1 is a relative of these other
types of H1N1 flu, but it has reconfigured
itself as a “novel” strain.
H1N1 is not affecting the elderly
the same way as it’s affecting the young
population who are suffering more hos
pitalizations and deaths than the elderly.
This also happened in the late 1970s when
the H1N1 strain affected mostly people
under age 25.
Scientists are still trying to fully ex
plain why this new flu has such a different
pattern of infection than other common
viral influenzas, but no one theory has
been agreed upon to date.
In the 1940s, flu shots contained
H1N1 antibodies but the virus changed
so quickly the shots were not effective
against the H1N1 the following years.
Some scientists argue that people living
in the 1950s and 1970s may have been
exposed to a relative of our current H1N1
and may have partial immunity to it.
Many believe this new strain of flu
is too new to be recognized by anyone
previously exposed to H1N1 illness or
prior H1N1 flu shots. Yet others try to
explain the different patterns of infection
by the way the immune system works
for different age groups, explaining that
stronger immune systems overreact and
actually work against us. Regardless of tionally, they are mandating the priority
the theories of explanation, the H1N1 flu
list for who will receive these shots based
is more strongly affecting people under on who is getting sick and dying from the
age 50 and the seasonal flu is affecting
H1N1 flu.
those over age 50.
Our first priorities will be pregnant
The seasonal “non-swine” flu con
women, children, young adults, infant
tinues to be the main threat to our elderly
caregivers and other people with lung,
population. The seasonal flu causes ap
diabetes and chronic medical conditions
proximately 200,000 hospitalizations and
that make them more susceptible to dis
36,000 deaths in the United States annu ease.
ally. Most of these cases affect people age
Elders will not be on the first priority
65 and older or the very young.
list because they are not getting and/or dy
Our current seasonal flu shot is 80
ing from H1N1 like the people mentioned
percent to 90 percent effective at pre
above. It’s currently thought, however,
venting non-swine flu in the elderly. The
that 90 days after we start the H1N1 shot
current flu shot is made of a dead virus
distribution, there will be enough vaccine
and cannot give you the flu, despite what
for anyone who wants it.
you might have experienced or heard in
This information changes daily and
the past.
the clinic is diligently staying on top of
H1N1 flu shots will be available this
the current flu information. We thank you
fall. The federal and state governments
for your understanding and your shared
are paying for and distributing the shots
concern about vaccinating our high-risk,
to county and Tribal governments. Addi
younger people first.
10 Ways You Can Help Stop the Flu and Stay Healthy
By Lindy Taylor, MD
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or use
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Stay home if you are sick for at least 24 hours after your fever has resolved
without the use of medication and you are symptom-free.
Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes (the T-zone of your face). This can
introduce an infection into your body.
Get your flu shot!
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough into your elbow. Make sure
to throw tissues in the trash and wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
Eat your veggies. Eating a balanced meal of the food groups ensures that you
get nutritional value from foods to help you stay healthy. If you are like most
people and fall short of the recommended six servings of fruits and vegetables
per day, take a multi-vitamin.
Disinfect your surfaces with antiseptic cleaners like Lysol®, sanitary wipes or a
bleach solution. You can easily make your own bleach cleaning solution using
1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart of water. A little bleach goes a long way, but it’s
also toxic so be careful while handling it.
Get your Zzzzzzz. Sleep is good medicine. Everyone needs different amounts of
sleep each night. Know your body and what it takes for you to feel well-rested
and to have enough energy to tackle the day ahead of you.
Drink plenty of healthy fluids. Water is the liquid of life; it makes up 75 percent
of our bodies. It dilutes and helps flush toxins and other negative substances in
our bodies. For those who are too bored of water alone, be smart in choosing
fluids that hydrate you and give you beneficial amounts of needed calories and
electrolytes.
* Be active! Active people are healthier people. Park farther away from the store
entrance, use the stairs instead of the elevator, go on a walk after dinner and
enjoy the nice weather, get outside with the kids, remind yourself why Oregon
has the most photographed beaches in the country, go fishing, find a trail join
a gym, get creative and go play (it isn’t just for kids!).
MRSA: Are You at Risk for this Bacterial Skin Infection?
By Lindy Taylor, MD
MRSA - methicillin-resistant staphy
lococcus aureus (MER-sah) - is bacteria
that can cause skin infections. Sometimes,
MRSA infects other parts of the body,
but in the healthy population most
MRSA infections are skin infections of
varying severity.
MRSA is problematic because many
of our traditional skin antibiotics can’t
treat MRSA because of its resistant abil
ity, meaning it has changed itself over the
years so that it’s not susceptible to many
of our common antibiotic medications.
MRSA used to be found only in
nursing homes and hospitals, but the
community-type of MRSA can be found
anywhere, including gym benches and
mats, and is more common among healthy
children and adults than in the past.
Anyone can get MRSA, but some
people are at higher risk:
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People who have crowded living
conditions, poor hygiene and close
contact among people
Contact athletes and gym members
Children in day care
Military recruits and prisoners
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Siletz News
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People with weak immune systems
The elderly and very young
important for athletes and gym members.
MRSA is a very treatable infection
that always should be treated by a health
care provider. It’s important to follow the
instructions for treatment your provider
gives you. Your provider may drain the
MRSA is spread the same way as oth
er skin infections - by touching someone
or something that has the bacteria on it
and then touching yourself. Areas of skin
break down, irritation or open wounds can
let the bacteria in.
MRSA is a red rash that can look like:
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Sores that look and feel like spider
bites
Large, red, painful bumps under the
skin
A cut that is swollen, warm and filled
with pus
Fluid-filled blisters
MRSA can live on surfaces for
months; however, it’s killed through
proper cleaning methods including anti
septic wipes and cleaners, anti-bacterial
spray and alcohol-based sanitizing gels.
A solution of 1 tablespoon bleach into
1 quart water is a good way to disinfect
household surfaces.
The bacteria also are washed off the
body with soap and water. This is especially
October 2009
infection and/or give you antibiotics and
special washing and wound covering
instructions.
Be careful not to share personal
hygiene items, such as towels, with
anyone else.
Help Prevent Infections by Properly
Washing Hands
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Wet your hands under warm running water.
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Apply soap and rub hands together for 15-20 seconds, getting between the fingers
and around nails (yes, this is a long time!).
Rinse soap off with warm running water.
Dry hands with a paper towel or unused hand towel.
Turn off the faucet using the paper or towel with which you dried your hands.
Throw the paper in the trash.
Wash your hands before preparing food, eating or drinking.
Wash before and after touching your body, wounds or bandages.
Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
Wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
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Use hand sanitizer if no water is available.