CCSi News & Information

The Citizen’s Common Sense Swine Flu Checklist
If you have a Flu-Like Illness Including:
Fever > 100ºF (37.8ºC) AND Cough OR Sore Throat
AND
History of travel to an affected area within 7 days of illness onset
OR
Contact with an ill person fitting the above travel description
within 7 days of illness onset
Then Stay Home and CALL your Doctor

IF no link to affected areas or travelers from affected areas, but you are mildly sick with flu-like symptoms – STAY HOME and recover, unless you have the following worrisome WARNING SIGNS.

Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

IN CHILDREN

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color (for fair tones) and grayish skin color (for darker tones)
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

IN ADULTS

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness or confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

Common Sense Precautions Include:

* Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, and wiping or blowing the nose.
* Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
* Use paper tissues when wiping or blowing your nose; throw tissues away after use.
* Stay away from crowded living and sleeping spaces, if possible.
* Stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness.

Information obtained from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For more information, visit their website at http://www.governor.maryland.gov/flu/index.html