Local H1N1 Death; LA Swine Flu Numbers Growing
By: Heidi York
Updated: September 15, 2009
There are 851 confirmed H1N1 cases in Louisiana, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 51,000 people in the state have had the swine flu this year. The numbers seem to be growing rapidly.
"Right now there's about ten times more influenza type illness in the state than we would typically see this time of year and most of that is attributed to swine flu," said Dr. John Vanchiere, a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist with LSU Health Sciences Center.
The state also just recorded it's seventh death from the H1N1 virus; a man from the Shreveport area.
"The death that was reported is one of seven in the state so far. It's an indicator that sometimes there is severe disease, but the vast majority of the flu we're seeing is very mild," explained Dr. Vanchiere.
In fact, doctors say the H1N1 virus isn’t even as severe as the seasonal flu. That's good news for most people. But some are still at high risk for complications, including very young children, people with compromised immune systems, children with asthma, and pregnant women.
Chris Burford is a nurse in the intensive care unit at a local hospital. He's at increased risk for exposure to H1N1.
"When I go into a patient's room, I wash my hands. When I leave the room I wash my hands. And, washing your hands is one of the biggest things you can do to prevent any type of flu," said Burford.
He’s taking extra precautions to keep his family healthy. His son, Max was born seven weeks premature and is at high risk for complications if he catches the virus.
"One of the things I do before I am able to hold the baby when I come home is take a shower," he added.
Max's mom, Ann is also taking precautions. She thinks twice before taking him around kids and crowds.
"It's hard to miss out on things, but it's better to be safe than sorry," she said.
"Right now there's about ten times more influenza type illness in the state than we would typically see this time of year and most of that is attributed to swine flu," said Dr. John Vanchiere, a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist with LSU Health Sciences Center.
The state also just recorded it's seventh death from the H1N1 virus; a man from the Shreveport area.
"The death that was reported is one of seven in the state so far. It's an indicator that sometimes there is severe disease, but the vast majority of the flu we're seeing is very mild," explained Dr. Vanchiere.
In fact, doctors say the H1N1 virus isn’t even as severe as the seasonal flu. That's good news for most people. But some are still at high risk for complications, including very young children, people with compromised immune systems, children with asthma, and pregnant women.
Chris Burford is a nurse in the intensive care unit at a local hospital. He's at increased risk for exposure to H1N1.
"When I go into a patient's room, I wash my hands. When I leave the room I wash my hands. And, washing your hands is one of the biggest things you can do to prevent any type of flu," said Burford.
He’s taking extra precautions to keep his family healthy. His son, Max was born seven weeks premature and is at high risk for complications if he catches the virus.
"One of the things I do before I am able to hold the baby when I come home is take a shower," he added.
Max's mom, Ann is also taking precautions. She thinks twice before taking him around kids and crowds.
"It's hard to miss out on things, but it's better to be safe than sorry," she said.
