Health officials in Catawba County continue to monitor the swine flu outbreak, and advise people to exercise good hygiene — and perhaps most importantly, not to panic.

Staff members at Frye Regional Medical Center reminded the public during a press conference Friday to remain calm. While the swine flu outbreak is serious, the flu is treatable, officials said.

“We are aware that people of our community are concerned — if not alarmed — by the H1N1 flu outbreak,” said Dr. Grace Auton, infectious disease physician at Frye. “While people certainly should have heightened awareness, we do not want them unduly alarmed.”

The Catawba County Public Health Department has fielded about 100 phone calls since news of the swine flu outbreak spread, said Lynne Laws, community health services nursing supervisor for Public Health.

People want to know if they have symptoms of swine flu or if they should restrict their travel, said Kellie Coffey, spokesperson for the Public Health.

To date, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu, also known as H1N1, in the state, said Coffey. Although there are two probable cases in North Carolina, they have yet to be confirmed and neither of them is in Catawba County, she said.

Still, Frye has been closely monitoring the outbreak for the past week, said Michael Barrick, the hospital’s emergency preparedness coordinator.

The H1N1 strain of influenza is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A flu viruses. Like other types of flu, it’s spread through human contact, including coughing and sneezing. The virus cannot be contracted by eating pork or pork products, according to Public Health.

Its symptoms are also common to those associated with other more common types of flu, including fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, Clark said. Other symptoms of swine flu may include chills, a sore throat, body aches and a headache.

If you have symptoms of flu, Laws said people should call their family doctor rather than going to the emergency room. Coffey said it’s also important for those who feel sick to stay home and avoid going to work or school, where they can spread the virus to others.

She said anyone can get the H1N1 virus. Laws said there is no group that is more susceptible than another since there is no preventative vaccine, though again, it is treatable.

If someone should contract swine flu locally, the antivirus is readily available in Catawba County to treat those who are ill, according to Public Health.

Clark said while Frye is prepared to treat anyone who becomes sick with the H1N1 virus, it’s likely they will be able to recover at home.

 While H1N1 is typically a pig virus, not normally infecting humans, it has spread to the human population in the last few months, with cases reported around the world and in the U.S.

“There is no doubt this is a serious matter,” said Dr. Kevin Clark, chief of staff at Frye. “The World Health Organization would not have placed the Pandemic Alert at its next-to-highest level if that was not the case.”

Clark said it’s important to remember that it’s still flu season, but it doesn’t mean everyone with flu symptoms has the H1N1 virus.

He said every patient who enters Frye’s emergency department is being closely monitored. They have also increased precautions taken around those complaining of flu-like symptoms.

Barrick said staff members are wearing masks, gloves, goggles and gowns around all flu patients as an extra precaution.

“This should not alarm you; rather, it should comfort you, as these steps are taken to minimize the risk of spreading the disease,” he said.

However, good healthy habits are still the key to staying well.

For more information about Swine flu visit the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.

Tips For Staying Healthy:

Avoid close contact with those who are ill.

Stay at home when you are sick.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Wash your hands often with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Practice other good health habits like getting plenty of sleep, regular exercise, eat nutritious foods and manage your stress.

Source: Catawba County Public Health

Symptoms of Swine flu:

Fever greater than 100 degrees

Sore throat

Cough

Stuffy nose

Chills

Headache

Fatigue

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Source: Catawba County Public Health