In light of the situation concerning Swine Flu (H1N1), Longview and Gregg County officials want to reassure the public to remain calm and follow guidelines provided by health officials. Currently the situation in our area is not unlike what is seen in a normal flu season. Local entities are working together to provide a unified response and have been actively involved in planning and conducting emergency preparedness drills for many years.
Citizens are reminded that panic can cause undue stress on emergency health systems and hospitals. Please use good judgement when accessing these facilities. Also, please stay informed through local hospital, city and school websites.
Below you will find some general information concerning symptoms, prevention methods, and appropriate response. Also, please see the links on the right side of this page for other flu-related information provided by county, state, and national resources.
Symptoms
If you are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or seek medical advice from an area health clinic.
These symptoms include:
Fever
Body Aches
Runny nose
Sore throat
Nausea
Vomiting/Diarrhea
It is strongly urged that patients do not go to the Emergency Room unless they are experiencing severe signs of illness which include:
Severe Symptoms in Adults
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Severe Symptoms in Children
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
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
Precaution
What to do as a precaution?
1. Cover nose & mouth when coughing or sneezing
2. Wash hands often
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
4. Avoid close contact with sick people
5. If you are sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
6. If you own a business or operation in a public place, take time to disinfect hard surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, etc.
Additional Resources
Texas Department of State Health Services: 888-777-5320
Good Shepherd Healthy Hotline: 903-315-4747
Please see helpful internal and external links on right side of this page.
|
