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Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Swine+cases+jump+local+hospitals/1731013/story.html
Swine flu cases jump at local hospitals
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal
Edmonton hospitals have seen an increase in the number of people admitted with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus in the past two weeks, including three who are on respirators in intensive care.
Dr. James Talbot, associate medical officer of health, said the increase could be due to chance, and is fairly normal for a flu that isn't covered by an annual flu vaccine.
"We're concerned, but the one we're most concerned about is what's happening in the ICU because that's where the most serious cases are and where the most amount of work needs to be done to maintain people and get them back to health."
He said that during a typical flu outbreak, one or two people find themselves in intensive care, compared to the three with the H1N1 virus or swine flu.
In the past two weeks, 18 others have been admitted to hospital-- nine children and nine adults.
The Edmonton area has been hard hit, with 362 testing positive since the outbreak. That's double what the Calgary area has seen. Across Alberta, 627 cases diagnosed have been diagnosed.
A woman from the Gift Lake Metis Settlement died after contracting the H1N1 flu. Investigators were unable to determine if the flu caused her death.
Talbot said people should wash their hands regularly and cough into their sleeves. He said the H1N1 flu has now eclipsed other flu strains to become the most common strain being seen.
People going to emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms are asked to don masks and sit away from people, Talbot said. Typically, cough droplets can be spread across a one-metre range.
Patients become more infectious when they are put on respirators in the ICU, since the machines convert their breath into aerosol or tiny particles that move around in the air.
To prevent the spread within hospital walls, up to 1,000 nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists who work in ICUs and the emergency wards are being fitted with special masks. Home-care workers will also get the masks because they visit people at home on respirators.
Private rooms are best for patients admitted to regular hospital wards, but Talbot said if there are no unoccupied rooms, those with the H1N1 virus bunk together.
He said there are no confirmed cases of the flu being transmitted from patient to patient within hospitals.
Those most at risk are the very young, elderly and those with other health problems.
jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com---------
edmontonjournal.com
Swine flu cases jump at local hospitals
By Jodie Sinnema, Edmonton Journal
Edmonton hospitals have seen an increase in the number of people admitted with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus in the past two weeks, including three who are on respirators in intensive care.
Dr. James Talbot, associate medical officer of health, said the increase could be due to chance, and is fairly normal for a flu that isn't covered by an annual flu vaccine.
"We're concerned, but the one we're most concerned about is what's happening in the ICU because that's where the most serious cases are and where the most amount of work needs to be done to maintain people and get them back to health."
He said that during a typical flu outbreak, one or two people find themselves in intensive care, compared to the three with the H1N1 virus or swine flu.
In the past two weeks, 18 others have been admitted to hospital-- nine children and nine adults.
The Edmonton area has been hard hit, with 362 testing positive since the outbreak. That's double what the Calgary area has seen. Across Alberta, 627 cases diagnosed have been diagnosed.
A woman from the Gift Lake Metis Settlement died after contracting the H1N1 flu. Investigators were unable to determine if the flu caused her death.
Talbot said people should wash their hands regularly and cough into their sleeves. He said the H1N1 flu has now eclipsed other flu strains to become the most common strain being seen.
People going to emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms are asked to don masks and sit away from people, Talbot said. Typically, cough droplets can be spread across a one-metre range.
Patients become more infectious when they are put on respirators in the ICU, since the machines convert their breath into aerosol or tiny particles that move around in the air.
To prevent the spread within hospital walls, up to 1,000 nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists who work in ICUs and the emergency wards are being fitted with special masks. Home-care workers will also get the masks because they visit people at home on respirators.
Private rooms are best for patients admitted to regular hospital wards, but Talbot said if there are no unoccupied rooms, those with the H1N1 virus bunk together.
He said there are no confirmed cases of the flu being transmitted from patient to patient within hospitals.
Those most at risk are the very young, elderly and those with other health problems.
jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com---------
edmontonjournal.com