EDGEWOOD, Ky. - A Kenton County woman in her 60s has died from medical complications of the swine flu (H1N1), the second death in the Northern Kentucky region associated with swine flu, according to the Norther Kentucky Health Department.
The woman had serious underlying health problems prior to her death, the department reported.
"Our thoughts go out to the individual's family," Dr. Steven R. Katkowsky, district director of health, said in a release issued by the department. "The two reported flu deaths this week, while unrelated, is an unfortunate reminder of how serious influenza can be."
Health officials reported the first death in the region on Tuesday. That death was also a Kenton County woman who was in her mid-50s.
In Kentucky, 18 deaths have been reported, including the two in Northern Kentucky.
Health officials urge the public to be on guard and to get vaccinated as soon as vaccines become available.
"Vaccination is one of the best measures that we can take to prevent the flu," Katkowsky said. "The Health Department has distributed more than 17,000 doses of vaccine to local medical providers, and will soon announce details for public vaccination clinics. While vaccine supplies have been limited thus far, we hope to be able to reach more people in the coming weeks to provide protection against the virus."
Health officials say in most instances, swine flu can be treated at home with fever-reducing medication, rest and liquids. Certain symptoms signal a more serious infection and require immediate attention. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness or confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
