Swine Flu and Cystic Fibrosis
What is influenza?
What is swine flu?
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
How does swine flu spread?
Can I get swine flu from eating pork?
Can I get swine flu from taking pancreatic enzymes?
How can I avoid swine flu and other germs?
What should I do if I think I or my child has the flu?
My doctor has prescribed Tamiflu®, but I can’t get it locally. What can I do?
Is the CF Foundation monitoring the swine flu outbreak?
What is influenza?
Influenza (the flu) is an illness caused by a virus. It usually happens in the fall and winter but people can get the flu at other times of the year. The flu is easily spread by direct contact, coughing, sneezing, and when an infected person touches a surface that others then use, like doorknobs and railings. Read this fact sheet to learn more about the flu and ways to avoid getting it.
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What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses, which can cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of chronic medical conditions, like CF.
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What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include:
fever and chills,
cough,
sore throat,
body aches, headache and
fatigue.
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How does swine flu spread?
Spread of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes. Sometimes a person may become infected with the flu by touching something that has flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
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Can I get swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
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Can I get swine flu from taking pancreatic enzymes?
No, you cannot get swine flu from pancreatic enzymes. The virus that causes swine flu is destroyed in the manufacturing process used to make enzymes.
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How can I avoid swine flu and other germs?
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
Clean your hands with alcohol-based hand gel or soap and water.
Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing, throw it away, then clean your hands.
Keep at least three feet away from others who appear ill or are coughing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since germs spread that way.
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What should I do if I think I or my child has the flu?
If you or your child has CF and you think you or they may also have the flu, call your doctor. If you get sick, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If you have swine flu your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug like Tamiflu® that can modify the severity of your illness.
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My doctor has prescribed Tamiflu®, but I can’t get it locally. What can I do?
CF Services Pharmacy, Inc. has Tamiflu® available for people with CF. You can contact CF Services at (800) 541-4959.
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Is the CF Foundation monitoring the swine flu outbreak?
The Foundation is closely monitoring the evolving swine flu outbreak and will update this site with more information and recommendations as needed.
You can learn more about the swine flu and how to avoid germs from:
The CDC Web site,
The Foundation’s Influenza fact sheet and Respiratory: What You Should Know About Germs, and
Watching the Web cast How to Avoid Germs in CF.
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Showing posts with label Educational Information and Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Educational Information and Events. Show all posts
Thursday, April 30, 2009
SWINE FLU
No cases of swine flu have been reported in Georgia as of 4/27/09.
At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for monitoring our patients. You may see more patients and staff members wearing masks as an extra precaution during your visit.
Below are some frequently asked questions about swine flu. Please ask a Children’s clinician or visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu for more information.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of flu virus. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can happen. The influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Limit family members and friends joining you during your visit to the hospital or neighborhood location.
Tell a Children’s staff member if you have visited Mexico or have had contact with a Mexico traveler in the last seven days.
If you or your child has a fever and cough or sore throat, wear a mask-available at the desk or from your nurse.
If you are not in the hospital, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Is the swine flu treatable?
There is no vaccine to protect humans against swine flu. There are two antiviral drugs that may be used for the treatment of swine flu: Oseltamivir and Zanamivir.
Is it safe to cook and eat pork and pork products?
Yes. It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked pork and pork products. Swine flu viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
At Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for monitoring our patients. You may see more patients and staff members wearing masks as an extra precaution during your visit.
Below are some frequently asked questions about swine flu. Please ask a Children’s clinician or visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu for more information.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of flu virus. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can happen. The influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Limit family members and friends joining you during your visit to the hospital or neighborhood location.
Tell a Children’s staff member if you have visited Mexico or have had contact with a Mexico traveler in the last seven days.
If you or your child has a fever and cough or sore throat, wear a mask-available at the desk or from your nurse.
If you are not in the hospital, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Is the swine flu treatable?
There is no vaccine to protect humans against swine flu. There are two antiviral drugs that may be used for the treatment of swine flu: Oseltamivir and Zanamivir.
Is it safe to cook and eat pork and pork products?
Yes. It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked pork and pork products. Swine flu viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
CF FAMILY CONNECTION
Introducing the new CF Family Connection …
an opportunity to network with other CF family members through educational programs and social gatherings!
2009 Calendar of Events- ATLANTA
JAN 15 Educational program
MAR 19 Social gathering
MAY 21 Educational program
JUL 16 Social gathering
SEP 17 Educational program
NOV 12 Social gathering
For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact
Lynda Ratmeyer-Fleming at ratmeyerfleming@yahoo.com or 770-716-2639
Sponsored by the CF Family Advisory Council
an opportunity to network with other CF family members through educational programs and social gatherings!
2009 Calendar of Events- ATLANTA
JAN 15 Educational program
MAR 19 Social gathering
MAY 21 Educational program
JUL 16 Social gathering
SEP 17 Educational program
NOV 12 Social gathering
For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact
Lynda Ratmeyer-Fleming at ratmeyerfleming@yahoo.com or 770-716-2639
Sponsored by the CF Family Advisory Council
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
ATTENTION Physically Active Adults with CF:
We need YOU for an exercise study!
We are researching salt loss in sweat during exercise in the heat and the impact that this has on fluid and electrolyte balance.
Why participate?
You will gain valuable information about your hydration and electrolyte needs during exercise in the heat. You will also find out your aerobic fitness, your percent body fat, and your bone mineral density. By participating, you will help to uncover important research findings that may impact quality of life issues for CF patients. You will also be compensated $100 for your time.
In order to participate you must meet the following criteria:
Age 18-40 years
In stable clinical status with sound pulmonary function, and approved by a CF physician for participation in this study
Regularly physically active in aerobic exercise at least 90 minutes/week for at least the past six months
Willing to perform a maximal exercise test on the bike and have your body composition measured with a DEXA (low-dose X-ray) scan (first session)
Willing to perform a stationary bike ride (low to moderate intensity) in the heat up to ~ 2hrs in duration (second session)
Willing to have a flexible blood catheter inserted into arm vein for periodic blood collection during riding
Willing to swallow a pill-size sensor for body temperature monitoring
Willing to have two small (4 mm diameter) skin biopsies removed from the shoulder blade area under local anesthesia by a dermatologist
For more information please contact:
Mary Beth Brown, Exercise Physiology Laboratory
Georgia Tech School of Applied Physiology
(404) 713-1697 email: bethbrown@gatech.edu
Or Jeannie Peabody, Clinical Research Coordinator; Emory Cystic Fibrosis Center, 404-712-3930
We are researching salt loss in sweat during exercise in the heat and the impact that this has on fluid and electrolyte balance.
Why participate?
You will gain valuable information about your hydration and electrolyte needs during exercise in the heat. You will also find out your aerobic fitness, your percent body fat, and your bone mineral density. By participating, you will help to uncover important research findings that may impact quality of life issues for CF patients. You will also be compensated $100 for your time.
In order to participate you must meet the following criteria:
Age 18-40 years
In stable clinical status with sound pulmonary function, and approved by a CF physician for participation in this study
Regularly physically active in aerobic exercise at least 90 minutes/week for at least the past six months
Willing to perform a maximal exercise test on the bike and have your body composition measured with a DEXA (low-dose X-ray) scan (first session)
Willing to perform a stationary bike ride (low to moderate intensity) in the heat up to ~ 2hrs in duration (second session)
Willing to have a flexible blood catheter inserted into arm vein for periodic blood collection during riding
Willing to swallow a pill-size sensor for body temperature monitoring
Willing to have two small (4 mm diameter) skin biopsies removed from the shoulder blade area under local anesthesia by a dermatologist
For more information please contact:
Mary Beth Brown, Exercise Physiology Laboratory
Georgia Tech School of Applied Physiology
(404) 713-1697 email: bethbrown@gatech.edu
Or Jeannie Peabody, Clinical Research Coordinator; Emory Cystic Fibrosis Center, 404-712-3930
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
CF Research: Progress, Hope and Challenges Today
Wednesday, November 12th 8 p.m. ET(7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific)
Please help us spread the word about the Virtual CF Education Day Web cast on Wednesday, November 12th. You will learn the latest in CF research that was presented at the 22nd Annual North American CF Conference. Dr. Preston Campbell, Executive Vice President of the CF Foundation, will give an update about Vertex 770 and 809, Denufosol, and other potential therapies for CF. He will be joined by Dr. Robert J. Beall, CEO of the CF Foundation, to help answer questions asked by Barbara Allen, an adult with CF, and Laura Homassel, a parent of a child with CF. We’ll share the latest news, and tell you how you can get involved!Pre‐registration begins October 13th on the CF Foundation’s Web site, http://www.cff.org/ or http://www.cfwebcast.org/. Please use code PT651 when you pre‐register. (You may submit questions atthe time of registration.) Questions also may be submitted during the live broadcast. To view this Web cast, your computer must have Microsoft Media Player, version 9.0 or higher. For freeMicrosoft Media Player go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp. Log in about 10 minutes before the presentation (check your time zone!) by going tothe CF Foundation Web site (http://www.cff.org/) or http://www.cfwebcast.org/, and click on the “Virtual CF Education Days” icon.* The screen will remain blank until the program begins. Participation will belimited to the first 1,000 people online.*It is recommended that you verify the ability to view the Web cast by watching an archived Virtual CF Education Day Web cast. You can find these archived Web casts on the CF Foundation’s Web site,http://www.cff.org/ or http://www.cfwebcast.org/. If you can’t join the live Web cast, the program will be archived on the CF Foundation’s Web site (http://www.cff.org/).This Virtual CF Education Day Live Web cast is made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, Inc.
Please help us spread the word about the Virtual CF Education Day Web cast on Wednesday, November 12th. You will learn the latest in CF research that was presented at the 22nd Annual North American CF Conference. Dr. Preston Campbell, Executive Vice President of the CF Foundation, will give an update about Vertex 770 and 809, Denufosol, and other potential therapies for CF. He will be joined by Dr. Robert J. Beall, CEO of the CF Foundation, to help answer questions asked by Barbara Allen, an adult with CF, and Laura Homassel, a parent of a child with CF. We’ll share the latest news, and tell you how you can get involved!Pre‐registration begins October 13th on the CF Foundation’s Web site, http://www.cff.org/ or http://www.cfwebcast.org/. Please use code PT651 when you pre‐register. (You may submit questions atthe time of registration.) Questions also may be submitted during the live broadcast. To view this Web cast, your computer must have Microsoft Media Player, version 9.0 or higher. For freeMicrosoft Media Player go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp. Log in about 10 minutes before the presentation (check your time zone!) by going tothe CF Foundation Web site (http://www.cff.org/) or http://www.cfwebcast.org/, and click on the “Virtual CF Education Days” icon.* The screen will remain blank until the program begins. Participation will belimited to the first 1,000 people online.*It is recommended that you verify the ability to view the Web cast by watching an archived Virtual CF Education Day Web cast. You can find these archived Web casts on the CF Foundation’s Web site,http://www.cff.org/ or http://www.cfwebcast.org/. If you can’t join the live Web cast, the program will be archived on the CF Foundation’s Web site (http://www.cff.org/).This Virtual CF Education Day Live Web cast is made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, Inc.
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