Get your household ready for H1N1 virus
Come up with a plan for the family and stock up on medications and nonperishable foods
Kimberly Hayes Taylor / Detroit News Health Writer
If the swine flu continues to hit Michigan as hard as epidemiologists and public health officials predict it will, many Michiganians will be too sick for at least a week to leave their homes for work, school or shopping. It also could mean that over-the-counter medicine may be in short supply.
At least 16 Michiganians have died and 396 have been hospitalized, Michigan Department of Community Health officials reported Monday. It is sure to get worse, says Dr. Walter Davis, pandemic flu coordinator for the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Program.
"You have to be prepared to stay home for a week or so; you need a good supply of over-the-counter medication," Davis says. "It doesn't look like we have a shortage of those items, but you never know."
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The national pandemic that has killed hundreds and hospitalized thousands nationwide since Aug. 30 may not seem real because not a lot of people know someone who's gotten sick or died -- yet. Still, this is just the beginning, Davis emphasizes.
He warns that families shouldn't wait until someone gets H1N1 to decide who is going to take off work to care for a stricken family member, get food and over-the-counter medicine.
"Make sure you have plenty of tissues and other related items," Davis advises. "Buy clear fluids, soups and have a plan for taking care of your children."
Davis is not the only one warning families to come up with a plan for the H1N1 pandemic, limit the spread of the virus, buy nonperishable food items and plenty of Tylenol, Motrin, other over-the-counter medications and health supplies.
The Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Academy of Physicians also offer these tips to get ready for what is predicted to be one of the nation's worse pandemics.
ktaylor@detnews.com (313) 222-2058
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