The only concern Sheryl Granger had when traveling with her 6-year-old son this week was the airplane.
She didn't worry about any H1N1 cases in Kentucky -- where she is visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday -- but rather the coughing that takes place 30,000 feet above ground.
"The only thing was getting on the plane, because everyone is breathing the same air," the Prattville woman said. "If you cough, you're breathing their cough."
Granger is following the precautions set forth by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, who advise that those traveling -- and those who are at-risk for flu or
who recently have developed flu-like symptoms -- ensure they have access to items such as hand sanitizers.
It's something she makes certain her son uses.
With families traveling from all over the state and country to be together this week, state health officials said that with any type of social gathering, there is an increased chance of spreading influenza.
"That's why schools are such an incubator," said Dr. Jim McVay, spokesman for the state health department. "You bring in kids and keep them packed for a majority of the day.
"The same rules that would hold for the school or workplace should be held for a social gathering."
These rules include making sure you stay home if you have a fever and using sanitizer more.
"Everyone should be aware of this," McVay said.
Over the past three months, H1N1 has spread nationwide.
There is no one part of the country that would be considered a "hot spot or a safe spot," McVay said. "There is no area in the country that has been completely bypassed. Because it is so widespread, we're probably not putting families at greater risk."
Precautions being recommended by the state are the same ones they've recommended the past three months, McVay said.
"We're not telling people to not have social gatherings, but we're telling them to be cautious," he said. "If there is some level of risk, try to minimize it. The good news is, more and more people are getting the vaccine."
If traveling
The CDC encourages people who are at-risk with the flu, or those that recently have developed flu-like symptoms, to get appropriate medical care and even delay their travel plans if needed.
Other recommendations from the CDC:
--Do some research about your destination to make sure you're not putting yourself at risk for swine flu;
--Check with your health insurance providers to make sure you have access to health care and medical coverage for any emergency situations while traveling;
--Pack your own medical kits so you have access to hand sanitizers, antiseptic and other basic first-aid supplies;
--Anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms or develops the flu while traveling should avoid continuing on their travel route for at least 24 hours until the symptoms subside, and avoid all contact with other people. Most cases recover and get well at home. The H1N1 vaccine is the best way to reduce your chances of infection; and
--Travelers planning to visit a foreign country this season are encouraged to contact the embassy or consulate to learn about any health recommendations, travel restrictions and screening process that may be in place for overseas travelers
Is travel being affected?
No, says AAA Alabama.
In fact, this year the agency is expecting a 1.4 percent increase in Thanksgiving travel -- a vast improvement over last year's 25 percent decline due to the economy.
And as far as any H1N1 and seasonal flu concerns, travel-related industries -- airlines, hotels, theme parks -- have amped up precautions by keeping things sterilized and hand sanitizers readily available, AAA Alabama spokesman Clay Ingram said.
"It seems people have a pretty good idea of what to do to protect themselves," he said. "It is a common-sense type thing.
"But, honestly, we are not seeing a decline in travel related to flu concerns at all."
It is what Berry Grant, president of All Seasons Travel in Montgomery, has noticed as well.
"Swine flu certainly gets people's attention," he said. "But I do not think it has had a lot of effect on travel in or out of Montgomery."
Personally, his daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren -- ages 3 years and 6 weeks -- just flew in this week from Jackson Hole, Wyo., for a nine-day visit.
"In Jackson Hole, they have the same things as we have here," Grant said. "They didn't take any real extra precaution. The baby went in for a (regularly-scheduled) check-up about four or five days before they left, so it came at a good, opportune time."
Update on student vaccines
Some elementary school students -- third-graders and below -- in northern Alabama received the H1N1 nasal mist swine flu vaccine this week -- many had school Monday and Tuesday.
The vaccine is being given to young children first because two doses are recommended for those 9 years old and younger. The second dose will be given about four weeks after the first is administered. Health Department officials said they expect the vaccine to be offered for older children after Jan. 1.
"The vast majority (of students) are starting next week," McVay said. "We sent out 90,000 doses of the nasal mist to the county health departments last week with all the permission slips."
There are about 240,000 students under the age of 10 in Alabama schools. McVay said in other states that have offered the vaccine only about 40-60 percent of parents have wanted their children to have it.
"So, this is enough for us to get started," he said. "We're hoping for at least that high (a) percent." To see more of the Montgomery Advertiser, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Montgomery Advertiser, Ala. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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