Swine Flu Update

April 26, 2009: The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) is following the swine flu situation closely and will post updates to our Web site as we receive new information. Meanwhile, we have provided interim guidelines to our physicians on the detection and management of swine flu.

While the outbreak of flu-like illness in Mexico and the appearance of scattered cases of swine flu in the United States are of concern, it is important to note that:

• Only 20 cases in the United States and 18 cases in Mexico have been confirmed as swine flu as of this writing;
  
• Cases of swine flu in the United States have been mild and most patients are already recovering;
  
• Much still needs to be learned about the outbreak of respiratory illness in Mexico.

In the meantime, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that we take the usual precautions for an ordinary flu season such as:

• Frequent hand washing;
  
• Covering your mouth when you cough;
  
• Staying home when you are ill with a respiratory illness.

Also, we request that you contact your provider by telephone or e-mail instead of coming directly to clinic if all three of the following apply to you:

• A fever (temperature of 100 degrees or greater);
  
• AND respiratory symptoms (such as cough, sore throat or shortness of breath);
  
• AND travel within the last 7 days to Mexico or a U.S. county that borders Mexico (such as San Diego County).