Coronavirus : COVID-19

We've been monitoring the Coronavirus news and we want our library users to be well informed with reliable sources. We've pulled together some resources about the coronavirus and have put on our website under RESOURCES | CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES http://lmelibrary.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=736&Itemid=267

In the meantime, we continue to monitor the Center for Disease Control's recommendations for pandemic preparedness and response plans including providing specific guidance on measures to prepare communities to respond to local spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. We are also following the Illinois Department of Public Health's guidelines for Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities and frequently reviewing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's information for workers.

The LME Library's website provides many additional resources for library users. We have online subscription databases that can be used with your LME Library card and PIN and have developed other online resources, internet links and pathfinders.  Please visit the library's website at lmelibrary.org or go directly to the dropdown resources list at http://lmelibrary.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&Itemid=110.  

New resources to promote movement

As people age, their mobility, or ability to get where they want to go, when they want to go there, may be reduced due to physical changes, increasing or worsening chronic health conditions, or use of medicines that can affect their cognition and physical function. These mobility changes may adversely affect older adults’ health and independence and are often related to an increased risk of falls and motor vehicle crash injury—the two leading causes of older adult injury.

In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the new MyMobility Plan to encourage older adults to prepare for potential mobility changes in much the same way they may plan financially for retirement. MyMobility Plan provides resources and tips for older adults to help manage their health to maintain mobility, make their homes safer to prevent falls, and consider alternative transportation as they age so they can stay safe, mobile, and independent longer. Take a look and think about sharing this new resource at your library or incorporating it into a public program.

In addition to MyMobility Plan, the CDC also recently unveiled a new Physical Activity campaign: Active People, Healthy Nation campaign. Physical activity is one of the most important things Americans can do to improve their health. Regular physical activity can reduce the burden of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, and can prevent early death.

Cold vs. Flu

As a library, we are a center for providing our patrons with accurate information. We felt the need to write a blog about H1N1, seasonal flu and colds to try to debunk some of the myths, misinformation, hype and panic-inducing emails that are out there. The following information was gathered from reputable sources and there are links to the referenced information throughout the blog. Please feel free to leave any comments you may have. Thank you.


Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms – (printable PDF)

Symptom	Cold	H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, mucus producing cough is often present with a cold.	A non-mucus producing cough (dry cough) is usually present with the flu.
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

~ Information provided courtesy of the Alliance Library System (ALS).

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.


Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) was on "The Dr.s" television show, October 26, 2009. She said that one of the biggest warning signs that you need to speak about with a physician is when a person is sick with flulike symptoms, gets better, then gets sick again. They could have pneumonia following the flu and that is what seems to be causing the most complications. Furthermore, she discussed the effectiveness and safety of the H1N1 vaccine. According to Schuchat, the vaccine is just as safe and effective as the annual flu vaccine. She also added that if we'd have known about the H1N1 strain sooner it would have been incorporated into the current seasonal flu vaccine and there would not have been all the misinformation floating around about it.

Pregnant Mothers:
It is very important for pregnant women to get the H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccines. During pregnancy a mother's immune system is weakened so the body doesn't reject the fetus, plus the body is under added stress working to support two lives. According to the CDC, the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines are safe for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.


Breastfeeding While Sick:
According to the CDC's website, it is ok to give your baby breast milk while you are sick. The antibodies your body is producing to fight illness are passed on to your baby. It is recommended that you express your milk and have someone who is not sick do the actual feeding. If you cannot do this, you should put a blanket over your arm (which you have been told to cough/sneeze into) and wash your hands thoroughly or use an alcohol based hand rub before each feeding. Also, try not to cough or sneeze into the babies face.

Since this is a new virus, we don't know yet about specific protection against it. Mothers pass on protective antibodies to their baby during breastfeeding.  Antibodies are a type of protein made by the immune system in the body.  Antibodies help fight off infection.


Where to find the FACTS!
There are so many panic inducing emails and forwards flying around. Ignore all the "he said he heard she read" and go directly to the facts!

• www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/ - Visit the CDC's 2009 H1N1 Flu page for the most up-to-date information on the H1N1/Swine Flu.
  
• www.flu.gov also has lots of information on when to visit your doctor.
  
• www.medlineplus.com – MedlinePlus is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. You can search their site for information on flu or other illnesses and health conditions.
  
• http://blogs.webmd.com/focus-on-flu/?ecd=ban_cdc1_cdc_cdc-flu-cb – The CDC and WebMD team up to answer questions about the flu season.

What should you know about flu antiviral drugs? At this time there are no studies suggesting harm to pregnant women or their unborn babies if she takes antiviral medicines.