Health

10/04/09 - Combating H1N1 At Church

People around KELOLAND are washing their hands more often and schools, businesses, even homes have hand sanitizer around, all in an effort to combat the spread of the H1N1 flu.

Now those same safety precautions are making their way around the church community.

H1N1 is on the minds of many these days. Concerns are rising and that's why congregations are taking action including here at Peace Lutheran Church where they've changed several of their methods.

It's common practice to say hello at church, but instead of shaking hands, the congregation members are greeting their neighbors without touching.

“We have a ministry to the deaf and we though let's teach our members how to sign peace be with you or good morning to you instead of shaking hands,” Pastor Rolf Svanoe said.

The church started the new practice after some members told Pastor Rolf they were concerned about spreading the virus.

“When we make this invitation for everybody they feel like they are suppose to or they feel bad if they don't choose to shake hands so this way we give everybody permission not to shake hands,” Pastor Rolf said.

Peace Lutheran has also taken other steps. The church asks that everyone distributing communion use hand sanitizer and the wine is poured into individual cups to cut back on spreading germs. They've also posted signs reminding people to wash their hands.

“I think the congregation really appreciates the fact that we're thinking about this and making it a safe environment for our members to come and worship,” Pastor Rolf said.

Peace Lutheran hopes the new practices will keep members healthy this flu season.

“We don't want them to worry about catching the flu at church, we want them to catch God's love,” Pastor Rolf said.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has posted some other procedures they are recommending churches follow to help prevent the spread of germs.

8/29/09 - Swine flu vaccine arrives in UK but roll-out will have to wait

The first batch of swine flu vaccine has arrived in the UK, but it must sit in storage for more than a month while the manufacturers wait to see whether it will be given a licence, the chief medical officer said today.

The news of the delivery of around 200,000 packs of the vaccine came as it was announced that the UK death toll from swine flu has risen to 66 after 11 fatalities in the past week.

The vaccine packs made by Baxter Healthcare – one of two drug companies with whom the government has signed contracts – have been delivered ahead of the drugs being approved, in contrast to the normal process for new drugs and treatments.

The European Medicines Agency will now decide whether to licence this vaccine and one made by GlaxoSmithKline. Both manufacturers hope to have their licence by early October, which will mean the roll-out can begin later that month. The Department of Health will prioritise distribution to those most at risk from the flu, including those with conditions that make them vulnerable, such as diabetes and HIV, as well as health workers.

When the vaccine is available, many people may be reluctant to be immunised because of fears it has not been tested properly, recent surveys of health care workers and the public suggest.

A Canadian study published on Monday indicated that a successful vaccination campaign would need to win over people who believe that alternative therapies and a good diet are a better option than vaccines.

Today the chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said the health professionals he had spoken to seemed to want the vaccine as soon as it became available. "It still remains the case that this disease is not a killer but it can kill," he said.

While the vaccine sits in storage, the epidemic in the UK continues to abate. More

8/17/09 H1N1 flu concerns spur alternate communion plans

Calgary churches are developing action plans in the event the H1N1 flu returns in debilitating force this fall.

Christine Mader, director of liturgy and adult formation for Calgary's Roman Catholic diocese, said local church leaders have discussed potential changes to the way communion would be held in any widespread outb1reak.

"We are in a monitoring mode. We are going to take our direction from the public health officials. And in this day and age of instant communications, we could get the word of any changes in policy out to our churches and people very quickly," said Mader.

Catholics attending mass already have a number of choices when it comes to receiving communion and contact with others during worship, she said.

"There is no requirement that the person receive wine from the cup during communion," said Mader. "And as far as physical contact with others during the sharing of the peace, there are options other than shaking hands. You can simply make eye contact, perhaps bow and smile and share the peace verbally." More

Questions and Answers

Questions You Should Ask Before You Get The Swine Flu Vaccine

1. Does the Vaccine contain additives such as mercury or squaline?

Additives called adjuvants like mercury (thiamerisol) are added to inhibit bacterial contamination. However, some studies have implicated mercury as a cause of autism and squaline as a cause of neuological damage respectively.

2. How can I avoid getting a vaccine that contains mercury?

Ask to receive your vaccine from a single dose vial. Unlike the multiple dose vials which contain thiamerisol, the single dose vials do not contain that additive.

3. Will getting the vaccine completely protect me from getting the swine flu?

The vaccine comes in two forms – a nasal form and an injectable form. The nasal form contains live virus that has been altered (attenuated) to be less infectious. The injectable form is made from a killed form of the virus. Because there is an increased risk of actual infection, the attenuated virus should not be given to individuals with compromised immune systems such as pregnant women, HIV patients, those on chemotherapy or children.

4. Is the swine flu more dangerous than the seasonal flu?

Since the outbreak of the flu this past spring, over 74 countries have documented cases of the H1N1 virus. There have been approximately 345,000 cases world wide with 4,100 deaths. Conversely, there are approximately 40,000 deaths due to the seasonal flu each year in the US. Statistics continue to suggest that the H1N1 virus is not as deadly as has been purported. To date it has been a relatively mild and self-limited infection in both adults ans children.

5. What are the risks and benefits of taking the vaccine?

The mortality rate is largely associated with pneumonia caused by secondary bacterial infections. In fact secondary bacterial pneumonia was the main cause of death in the influenza pandemic of 1918. It is important to weigh the risks associated with the potential side effects of the vaccine vs the vaccine’s inability to protect from the more deadly complication of bacterial pneumonia.

H1N1 General Questions

Are there human infections with novel H1N1 virus in the U.S.?
Yes. Human infections with the new H1N1 virus are ongoing in the United States. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. CDC routinely works with states to collect, compile and analyze information about influenza, and has done the same for the new H1N1 virus since the beginning of the outbreak. This information is presented in a weekly report, called FluView.

Is novel H1N1 virus contagious?
CDC has determined that novel H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

How does novel H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus. More