Lodi City Council discusses how swine flu might affect Lodi area

What can you do to protect yourself against the H1N1 flu virus, commonly known as swine flu, this fall and winter?

The Lodi City Council heard a presentation on the best ways to deal with the swine flu at its Tuesday morning shirtsleeve meeting. Most of the recommendations the council received from health officials were similar to how residents should also protect themselves against the seasonal flu.

In San Joaquin County, the swine flu has caused five deaths and 72 hospitilizations. There have been 253 confirmed cases of the swine flu, but that number is substantially lower than estimates because most people do not get tested.

The swine flu will circulate with the seasonal flu, but will be the predominant flu virus, said Ginger Wick, nursing program manager for maternal, child and adolescent health with the San Joaquin County Public Health Services.

Having both viruses circulate at the same time will mean more people are sick, she said.

Medical facilities will see increased people coming in with complications from the flu. More people will be calling out of work sick or having to take care of sick children, and people will be absent for a longer duration, Wick said. She suggested businesses have contingency plans on what to do if a large part of the workforce calls in sick.

For the city of Lodi, it could mean the city needs to prepare for increased overtime if employees get sick.

The reason why the swine flu will most likely be more widespread than the seasonal flu is because people don't have any built up immunity to the virus, Wick said. This means vaccines will be important.

Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock asked about reports she has heard that health care workers are wary of getting the vaccine because they are so new.

Wick said the vaccine is administered similarly to the flu vaccine, so there should not be any additional complications.

"I can only tell you I'm getting it and letting my granddaughter get it," Wick said.

Here are some of the flu prevention tips Wick and Kevin Donnelly, interim fire chief, gave at the council meeting:

Vaccines

If you want to protect yourself against both the flu viruses, expect to get two vaccines. The seasonal flu vaccine is currently available at clinics and pharmacies. The swine flu vaccine is expected to be ready in mid or late October.

It is unclear how much of the swine flu vaccine will be available, Wick said, so it will first be given to high-risk groups, like health care workers and those at higher risk for infection or complications.

Children 10 years old and under might have to get two swine flu shots, Wick said.

You can get either the seasonal or swine flu vaccine individually or together.

Wash hands

Your mother's advice still holds. Wash hands with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds, especially if you have been coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers also work. Also, avoid touching your nose and mouth.

Stay home

If you get sick, stay home until 24 hours after your fever stops and you have been off of fever-reducing medicine.

Keep your distance

The virus spreads the same way as the seasonal flu, through coughing, sneezing or touching respiratory droplets on you or someone else. If someone is sick, stay three feet away.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blogs/citybuzz.

Free flu vaccines

San Joaquin Public Health Services will offer free vaccines to people who qualify on Wednesday.

If you are in one of the following groups, you can get a free seasonal flu vaccine from 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. today:

— Pregnant.
— A child between the ages of 3-years-old and 18-years-old.
— Uninsured or underinsured.
— A person aged 50 or older.
— A health care worker.
— A person with long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

The locations people can receive the the vaccines include:

Lodi Health Center
300 W. Oak St.
Lodi, CA 95240
331-7303

Stockton Health Center
1601 E. Hazelton Ave.
Stockton, CA 95205
468-3830

Manteca Health Center
124 Sycamore Ave.
Manteca, CA 95336
823-7104

Tracy Health Center
205 W. Ninth St.
Tracy, CA 95376
831-5930

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