Six Quincy residents contract swine flu

QUINCY— Grant County Health District reported three Quincy residents, two 8-year-olds and one 13-month-old baby, tested positive for the H1N1 swine flu.

“These are mild cases and none of the children were hospitalized,” said director of the emergency department at Quincy Valley Hospital Dr. Mary Klingner.

 Grant County Health District continues to closely monitor these and other reports of illness and is continuing to look into treatment and prevention control, said a district spokesperson.

About 50 people have been hospitalized and two have died of the swine flu in Washington state, since April 10, 2009.   

But there is no cause for alarm, say officials.

Symptoms associated with swine flu are mild to moderate severity and are similar to ?seasonal influenza. The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention’s Web site.

“The danger is the same as the regular flu,” Klingner said. “Since it is regarded as a public health issue it is very important to us and we keep patients who exhibit symptoms under close surveillance.”

Klingner urges residents to contact their doctors if they begin to experience a fever with body aches and respiratory symptoms.

“Since we do take it so seriously, it is less likely to affect us,” Klingner reassured.

Public Health officials state that there are precautions that can be taken to stop the spread of germs.

They are to clean your hands with alcohol-based hand wipes and gel sanitizer if soap and water are not available, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home from work or school and away from others if you are sick, contact health care provider if you are ill or have health concerns and avoid close contact with people who are sick.