Swine Influenza 2009:  Early Home Treatment

The information barrage in the early days of a pandemic sometimes makes us forget the basics.  It may be days or weeks before it is fully known what the implications of this new H1N1 virus are.  It may be a 1957-type strain or, God forbid, a 1918-type strain or, hopefully, even less severe than either.   The CDC and WHO will find out, but it will take time.

Beginning now, you can protect your children, grandchildren and parents.  From a medical standpoint, treating influenza is much like treating a trauma patient.  You may not have Tamiflu or other medications for a variety of reasons.

What you do have is common sense.  If someone has limited nausea and vomiting, as one-third may in influenza, you can start as we do in Trauma Care - replacement of lost fluid volume and electrolytes.  First, you give water and a small amount of salt like a saltine cracker.  You may need two (2) quarts of water a day with high fever.  Once the stomach is rehydrated, you can switch to PowerAde, Gatorade or equivalent oral rehydrator replacement solutions as tolerated.   Only then do you get to chicken noodle soup. Do not give aspirin as it is associated with a serious neurological condition, Reyes syndrome.

What about social distancing!  The virus is spread by respiratory droplet transfer.  Protect others by covering coughs and sneezes.  Common surgical masks are 99.5% effective.  Even cotton masks in 1918 were protective for health care workers.  Make your own.  Gowns are also helpful.  Use one part of your home as isolation for sick patients.  No kissing, shaking hands and 4-6 feet for distance will help. Don’t forget frequent hand washing.   Do the best you can at home if one person is sick.  They will be needed later to take care of the newly infected.  See CDC Guidelines- family care:  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm

Provisions should include water and food for three (3) days.  Go simple with canned foods or simple frozen foods.  Electricity may be out for the usual reasons so have a flashlight.  Many websites including the State of Georgia and Boston Red Cross offer more complete help.  Simple is better.  Do not let minor problems result in unnecessary trips to hydration centers or hospitals.  We need to conserve precious resources for the very sick, such as persistent nausea, vomiting, dehydration lasting 24-48 hours especially if associated with high fever.

Simple rules and common sense, as well as, doing things one step at a time will go a long way to make you and your family as safe as possible. 

Good luck and make your family as protected as you can.  Remember 99/100 live.  Be there.

See CDC website for clinical updates http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Michael P. Dailey, M.S., M.D., F.A.C.P.
MAA Board Member
Member IDSA
Consultant, Pandemic Influenza Coordinating Committee, State of Georgia

John S. Harvey, M.D., F.A.C.S.
MAA Board Member and Past President
MAG Speaker of the House of Delegates
GSDF Command Surgeon