13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |State continues to prepare for swine flu

State continues to prepare for swine flu

Richard Essex/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The Indiana State Department of Health says it is not a matter of "if" we will have a confirmed case of swine flu, but "when."

The state says they are in a leaning forward mode, meaning they are expecting the worst, but hoping for the best and preparing for anything.

"As we are seeing more confirmed cases across the states, I expect that we will see confirmed cases here in Indiana," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Judith Monroe.

A sign asking "What if?" hangs from the health department's lobby - the same sign Dr. Monroe sees every day and is living right now.

"Absolutely. That is why we are on alert and that is why you are seeing a lean forward," she said. "We are calling it a marathon. We know we are going to be in this for the long haul."

Health officials are just beginning to get their plans into place. For Dr. Monroe, that means talking to everyone that might treat any infected patients.

"Some of the hospitals have done some stockpiling, you know, distribution of medications now that we are at that stage where we are receiving our appropriations and medications and supplies that are coming in from the federal government," said Dr. Monroe.

If swine flu becomes more widespread, Indiana health officials believe the emergency room will become the first line of defense. When patients come to the ER, they will be isolated as they enter the building.

"We want to be ready for this if it mutates and starts to be a widespread and serious disease," Dr. Monroe said. "The thing about a new virus, which this is, a new virus in humans can go several different ways."

Officials say the virus could burn out in a few weeks, or it could mutate and spread. The state has stockpiled more than 650,000 doses of anti-viral medication and are expecting another 150,000 from the federal supply.

Separating fact from fiction

As cases of swine flu pop up across the country, many are asking how to keep themselves protected from the disease.

One of the most common questions is about pork products. After all, it's called the "swine flu", is it safe to eat bacon and other pork products?

"People have said, 'Can I get sick eating pork?'," said Lisa Lowery, a registered nurse with the Visiting Nurse Service. "The answer is no. Cook it to an internal temperature of 160 degrees."

Lowery spent the day Monday taking questions from concerned Hoosiers, like "Can I eat in a Mexican restaurant?" The answer is "no problem."

"You could get sick at any restaurant if a worker there is sick," Lowery said, reminding people not to go to work if they are sick.

Also, don't go to Mexico now, unless it's necessary. But Lowery says you don't need to wear a protective mask to keep from contacting droplets containing the virus, but it might be a good idea if someone at home is sick.

"Right now, if I was dealing with it and had a family member sick and didn't know what they had, I would use a mask," Lowery said.

Sneezing and coughing carry the disease, but what about a hug?

"Only if you're sneezing while hugging somebody," Lowery said.

She added that a handshake can be risky, since hands could be contaminated from a sneeze or dirty tissue. After a handshake, or any time, don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth, as that's an easy way to transmit any infection. Lowery strongly recommends using hand sanitizer.

Also, your flu shot also won't protect you from the disease. There are medicines that can be used to fight swine flu symptoms, but no vaccine.