Swine Flu What You Need to Know

2009-04-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Women's Services believes the key to prevention is education. Therefore, we try to provide you with up to date information on current health topics. Here is some basic information about the swine flue that everyone should know.

WHAT IS SWINE FLU?

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has spread from person to person -- and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.

WHAT ARE SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Those symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions, and that means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. It takes a lab test to tell whether it's swine flu or some other condition.

HOW CAN I PREVENT SWINE FLU INFECTION?
The CDC recommends taking these steps:
· Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
· Avoid close contact with sick people.
· Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

CAN I STILL EAT PORK?
Yes. You can't get swine flu by eating pork, bacon, or other foods that come from pigs.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BE DOING?
Keep informed of what's going on in your community. Your state and local health departments may have important information if swine flu develops in your area. For instance, parents might want to consider what they would do if their child's school temporarily closed because of flu. That happened in New York City, where St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens closed for a couple of days after eight students were found to have swine flu. Don't panic, but a little planning wouldn't hurt.

HOW IS SWINE FLU TREATED?
The new swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The CDC recommends those drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not everyone needs those drugs; many of the first people in the U.S. with lab-confirmed swine flu recovered without treatment. The Department of Homeland Security has released 25% of its stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza to states. Health officials have asked people not to hoard Tamiflu or Relenza.

IF I THINK I HAVE SWINE FLU, WHAT SHOULD I DO? WHEN SHOULD I SEE MY DOCTOR?
If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Afterward, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. That will help prevent your flu from spreading.
If you've got flu symptoms, and you've recently been to a high-risk area like Mexico, CDC officials recommend that you see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms but you haven't been in a high-risk area, you can still see a doctor -- that's your decision.
Keep in mind that your doctor will not be able to determine whether you have swine flu, but he or she would take a sample from you and send it to a state health department lab for testing to see if it's swine flu. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he or she would be able to write you a prescription. Drugs may not be required; U.S. swine flu patients have made a full recovery without it.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact Brooklyn Women’s Services at 718.748.1234.

Information courtesy of WebMD.com

Brooklyn Women's Services Participates in the "Women Minding Their Own Business" Expo

2009-04-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, April 28th, Brooklyn Women's Services participated in the "Women Minding Their Own Business" Expo at The Green Spa & Wellness Center. Thi netowrking event inclusing several women owned businesses in Brooklyn.

BWS HealthBeat Brooklyn Segment About Fibromyalgia

2009-04-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Women's Services was featured on a BCAT HealthBeat Brooklyn segment about Fibromyalgia.

13th Annual Focus on Women Symposium

2009-04-14T10:11:00.001-07:00

Photos courtesy: Georgine Benvenuto

Brooklyn Women's Services, an affiliate of Maimonides Medical Center hosted its 13th Annual Focus on Women Symposium on Saturday, March 28, 2009. This year's event was sponsored by The Allstate Foundation and The Alive in Hope Foundation and the speakers explored the intrinsic connection between emotional, physical and financial well-being. Speakers included - Dr. Mahsa Hosseini, physician at Brooklyn Women's Services; Kathy Valentine from Allstate and Paulette Rao, MCC, Certified Leadership Coach and CEO of True North Resources.