September 17th, 2009 by MWilhelm

HOUMA — The Houma and Thibodaux region’s first known death related to H1N1 “swine” flu was confirmed Wednesday by the state Department of Health and Hospitals.

The patient was an adult male from somewhere in Terrebonne or Lafourche who died of “complications” related to the flu strain, health officials said. The state would not release more specific information, citing privacy concerns.

He is the eighth person to die of the swine flu in Louisiana.

Swine flu has been widespread in Louisiana and the rest of the nation through August and September, doctors said. In a normal year, there would be almost no flu activity this time of year.

Though doctors aren’t testing for the specific strain except in the most severe cases, such as hospitalization, experts say that much of the flu going around right now is H1N1.

In Lafourche Parish, 45 cases of swine flu have been confirmed. In Terrebonne Parish, 10 people have tested positive, with 851 cases of the H1N1 virus confirmed statewide

Rene Milligan, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Hospitals, said the first vaccine for the swine flushould be available Oct. 15.

People at greater risk for complications from the swine flu will be given the vaccine first. That includes pregnant women, children and young people between 6 months and 24 years old, people with existing chronic health conditions like respiratory disease, people caring for babies and health-care workers.

“The regular flu vaccine is available today,” Milligan added. “We recommend the regular flu vaccine for everyone.”

Getting vaccinated with the flu vaccine won’t protect you from the swine flu, but it will protect you from many other flu viruses that are expected to circulate this winter, Milligan said.

Because the H1N1 virus spreads easily from person to person through coughs and sneezes, the best prevention is to practice good hygiene.

Recommendations from the Department of Health and Hospitals include:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with the flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control does not recommend the use of antiviral medication such as Tamiflu as a precautionary measure to prevent the flu, under most circumstances.

Such antiviral treatment is recommended for all hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected flu, however, and is recommended for people at higher risk for flu-related complications.

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms and have a high-risk medical conditions like pregnancy, diabetes or heart or lung conditions, contact your doctor immediately.

For more information on flu activity in Louisiana, visit www.flula.com.