Q&A: Practical Pointers About Bird Flu

— -- Following are questions regarding "practical pointers" to keep in mind about bird flu, along with responses from Dr. William Schaffner. Schaffner is chair of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's department of preventive medicine, and an infectious disease consultant for the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control.

Q: For people who have compromised immune systems because of leukemia or other diseases -- what can we do? Should we leave town if a case is reported locally? Keep our kids out of school? -- Carolyn, Atlanta

A:

A large percentage of the U.S. population has a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of the complications of influenza. This includes persons with compromised immune systems (leukemia, HIV infection, steroid therapy, etc.) as well as those with chronic lung or heart disease -- not to mention young children (6 to 23 months of age) and persons of advanced age. All these groups are at increased risk of developing the complications of influenza.

There are two basic strategies to protect oneself against infection. The first is to get yourself into the best health status that you can. Make sure that your weight is appropriate, that your illness is well-treated by your physician and that you follow your medical regimen closely. Stop smoking if you do so -- and send smokers in your family out on the porch if they insist on lighting up. Get into the habit of washing hands frequently.

It is not practical or useful to "head for the hills" if pandemic influenza involves your community. However, staying at home and minimizing social interactions with crowds is prudent. Thus, avoid concerts, movies, shopping at the mall and, perhaps for a time, even religious services. This likely will reduce your chance of coming into contact with someone who is spreading the influenza virus. Consider using a surgical mask. Please realize that there are scant data to show that masks actually offer protection in the community (use in hospitals by health care workers is another story). Indeed, some public health authorities are wary of recommending masks because they fear that some persons with flu-like symptoms will put on masks and go out into the community and contribute to the spread of the virus. Obviously, masks should be used sensibly.