Santa Rosa County has its second case of H1N1 (swine flu), as a sample from an adult male was confirmed positive by testing at the Florida Department of Health Pensacola Branch Laboratory. 

At the advice of his physician, the man has been self-isolating at home for the past three days while taking Tamiflu, an antiviral medication that has shown to be effective in treating the virus.  The man will remain at home until after his antiviral treatment is completed, and he has gone for 48 hours without symptoms.  There are three other family members living in the home, two adults and one small child (which does not attend daycare or school), and none of these individuals are exhibiting influenza-like illness symptoms at this time.

Symptoms of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu):

The symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu, including:  fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.  Some cases have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine flu).  Like seasonal flu, the H1N1 (swine flu) virus may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

What Residents and Visitors Should Do:

The Santa Rosa County Health Department continues to urge all citizens and visitors to take the basic prevention steps that are effective in preventing the seasonal flu:

·         If you feel sick, stay home from work or school;

·         Wash your hands frequently;

·         Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or appear ill;

·         Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your upper sleeve, not your hands;

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;

·         If you experience cough, fever, and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, contact your health care provider.

 For More Information:

More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, or by calling the Florida Department of Health’s toll free information line for swine flu at
1-800- 775-8039. 

 

For media inquiries, please contact Amy Maddox at 850-983-5200 ext. 126.