H1N1 has hit America with some devastation. Although the heat of it has slowed down in Utah and across the country, for the time being, it is not over yet. H1N1 vaccines are now available to everyone in Utah but the rush to get them has slowed dramatically since the reported cases have died down. However, Dr. Clark Rasmussen, a general surgeon at Intermountain Medical Center states, “We are looking for another round to hit Utah starting in mid March.”
Many people throughout the country are mistaking H1N1 for the flu. The symptoms of H1N1 include fever, body aches, headaches, runny noses, coughs, and some have symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea. These factors are easily mistaken but can be a true sign of this very serious virus. Intermountain Healthcare is recommending the public to take these things seriously and to monitor any changes that happen. If anything seems really off then it should be looked at seriously with the realization that it could be more serious than one is thinking.
The risk of H1N1 taking someone’s life is greatest for those who are obese and for children. This is an increased risk that should be taken very seriously. Health organizations in Utah are pressing for Utahans to receive vaccinations.
Children who have already received a vaccination should look towards receiving the second part in the series of shots for H1N1. This will help to raise the rate at which they will be protected against this infection by nearly 40 percent, making the chances at a 90-percentile rate and really helps the vaccination to become effective. H1N1 vaccine clinics are ready to go around the Salt Lake Valley to help protect Utahans as much as they can.
Laurie Larson, a nurse at Primary Children’s tells of the seriousness of this virus. It has truly affected the lives of many children and even has shown to cause neurological problems for some children. Seizures make up one of the signs of neurological problems and can be a sign that serious neurological damage is being done to a child. Fatalities have and will occur from this because of the serious injuries H1N1 has on a child’s development.
Utah has been hit by H1N1 resulting in over eight hundred people being hospitalized and twenty-eight deaths. The most recent death in this number was a woman from Tooele in November.
This is a virus that hits home and can take a toll, not only on the life of the one who receives it, but on all of those who know and love the person who dies from it. Utahans need to take precautions and understand that H1N1 is not completely gone and is likely to make a come back in March.