Two cases of swine flu were confirmed in Colorado April 30, one
in Douglas County and one in Arapahoe County.
In the confirmation on the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment Web site, the individuals were not identified by
name but information was given about each infected person.
The Arapahoe County resident is in her 30s and she had recently
returned from a cruise to Mexico and a few days in San Diego, where
cases have been reported. She was not hospitalized and is
recovering
The man from Douglas County is in his 40s and is a baggage
handler at Denver International Airport. He was hospitalized April
27 and is expected to be released sometime April 30.
Ned Calonge, state chief medical officer, said in the press
release that specimens from other cases have been submitted for
laboratory testing so the number of confirmed cases in the state
could rise.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of
seasonal flu, which include a fever of more than 100 degrees, a
sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, body aches and fatigue. The health
department urges individuals who display these symptoms to seek
medical attention. Additionally, the advice is to stay home for
seven days or for at least one day after the symptoms
disappear.
Tips to avoid getting the disease include frequent hand washing,
avoiding possible exposure in public places.
Calonge noted the disease cannot be contracted by eating
pork.
Additional information is available by calling the state hotline
at 1-877-462-2911. The hotline is staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
daily. Information also is available on the Tri-County Health
Department Web site at www.tchd.org or the state health
department Web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us.
