| OCR Text |
Show flMES 3 HILLTOP TIMES Updates on H1N1 flu show less severity Military Family Life Consultants program available for Airmen T May 7, 2009 important preventive action you can take. BY CAPT. PAUL CONROY 75th Aerospace Medical Squadron Pubic Health Flight commander he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that H1N1 influenza virus has been confirmed in 20 countries and 38 states, including one confirmed case in Utah. The CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations and possibly more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and weeks. However, the severity of the illness is not as dire as originally feared. Some vital public health preventive measures, while prudent earlier in the outbreak, are no longer recommended. For example, the CDC is no longer advising school closure for a suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 and, in general, is not advising such action unless the magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism interferes with the school's ability to function. But we must all remain vigilant. Follow these simple guidelines to prevent the spread of influenza: • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose with your hands. This is the single most • Avoid people with flu-like symptoms. If you think you have H1N1 flu contact your health care provider. He or she will be able to determine if you need testing or treatment. To prevent spreading the virus if you are sick: • Stay home from work or school. • Cough and sneeze into disposable tissues. • Wash your hands often with soap and water • Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door knobs, remote controls, light switches and toilet handles. An effective disinfectant can be made using lA cup of household bleach and 1 gallon of cold water. The 75th Medical Group continues to work with local, state and Department of Defense partners to minimize the impact of H1N1 influenza. For further information regarding this outbreak, please contact the Hill Air Force Base Public Health Office at 777-1342, 586-9582, or visit the CDC Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ swineflu/. Annual blood drive set to help needs in AOR A: blood drive will be held Wednesday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the .Airman and Family Readiness Center as part of the annual Armed Services Blood Drive. A mobile team travels from base to base and supports three branches of the military as part of these efforts. The program directly supplies blood to military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of all the blood collected, 100 percent goes to wounded military personnel. Within two weeks, your donation of life is available to wounded Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines. Go to the Web site at www.militarylifeforce.com to set up a profile and make an appointment or just walk in. at reducing stress through informal support such as workHilltop Times staff shops, classes, focus groups and individual support. The ; eployment cycles and program consultants also work ; the operations tempo directly with the AFRC to proremains steady, and vide reunion and reintegration the Airman and Family Readisupport. ness Center here would like to remind service members Consultations are anonymous and their families that there is and no military records will be a free support program availkept on Airmen seeking help. able to help them through these Contact with the consultant is times. private except under certain circumstances, such as if there Last year the Office of the is a threat of harm to oneself or Secretary of Defense began others and if any form of abuse funding the Military Family is present. "It is not a medical Life Consultant program to provide supplementary support screen nor does it go into any Airman and Family Readiness to Airmen and their families Center records," said Beasley. to augment existing military support services and meet the AD consultants are masemerging needs for military ter's level, licensed clinicians, personnel and family members. and they are able to meet with According to Carole Beasley, people anywhere on or off 75th Force Support Squadron base, with the exception of an AFRC director, the primary individual's home. "This availgoal of this program is to assess ability to meet allows persons and deliver short-term, solution- of all rank to access the system focused, nonmedical counselwithout being seen going into ing for service members and the Airman and Family Readitheir families. The counseling ness Center or the other mental program is designed to adhealth facilities," said Beasley. dress issues that occur across Active duty, Guard and Rethe military lifestyle and help serve Airmen and their family Airmen and their families cope members worldwide are eliwith the normal reactions to the gible to participate in the MFLC stressful and adverse situations program. Consultants can be created by multiple deployreached by calling the Airman ments and reintegration. and Family Readiness Center at The MFLC program aims 7774681. BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY D ore cancer patients. More people back to living. '•'HS^A- f W 'tfi * We creac more cancer patients than any other Utah healthcare organization. That means experience, beccer outcomes, and more people returning to their lives. Intermountaiif Cancer Services &gmeojjjg^ou know has cancer, visit healingforlife.com for more info. McKay-Doc Hospital Center • Inrermountain Medical Center • Primary Children's Medical Center • LDS Hospital • Logan Regional Hospital Utah Valley Regional Medical Center • American Fork Hospital - Dixie Regional Medical Center • Valley View Medical Center |
