SWINE FLU UPDATE: As of June 20, 2009

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SWINE FLU UPDATE: As of June 20, 2009

Every Friday the CDC posts the actual numbers of cases of all influenza infections in the US. We will be commenting

on this posting from time to time.

This note reviews the posting of June 20, 2009, posted on June 27, 2009.

EPIDEMIC GROWS, BUT CASES REMAIN QUITE MILD

The epidemic of H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus continues to grow. The good news is that it is still true that although

spreading rapidl, this is still a quite mild illness.

As of June, the numbers of cases of influenza jumped higher in the US. This week actually saw fewer deaths from this

infection than previously, further proof that, as of now, this is indeed a mild illness.

THE ADVANCED PEDIATRICS RECOMMENDED APPROACH AT THIS TIME

As noted in our overview, we at Advanced Pediatrics will have a different approach to a mild illness than a severe

illness. As long as this remains a mild illness, there is little or no advantage to diagnosis, treatment, or isolation.

While this remains a mild illness the treatment with Tamiflu offers little relief for the risk of taking the medication.

Isolation has been attempted very aggressively with whole schools and camps closing, aggressive exclusion of

diagnosed individuals from schools and camps. The result has been a complete failure to stop the spread of the virus.

Since we generally do not recommend policies that do not work, Advanced Pediatrics, at this time, is not recommending

closing camps, schools, or keeping well-feeling but diagnosed individuals excluded from program activities.

At this time the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus causes an illness very much like a mild flu, and should be treated as

such, since that is what it is for now.

WHAT IF THE H1N1 ILLNESS GETS MORE SEVERE

If the H1N1 influenza (swine flu) virus starts causing more severe illness, the recommendations from the CDC, Boards

of Health, and Advanced Pediatrics will change accordingly.

STAY INFORMED: CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, AND TWITTER PRESENCE

ON THE H1N1 PANDEMIC

Please see our overview of H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) on our website (www.advancedped.com) and facebook page for

details on what is a pandemic, an epidemic, what to do about this illness, and other details.

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.