“According to family members, he had not sought medical treatment for this illness, nor for several years prior,” Scott County Coroner John Goble said in a statement, adding that the man was home-bound before his death. “But it does not appear he had any significant underlying medical conditions.”
Swine-flu related deaths have also been reported in Fayette, Jefferson, Caldwell and Christian counties, with two in Fayette and one in each of the other counties.
Health officials said people don’t need to see doctors for mild illness but should heed the warning signs of more serious problems and seek immediate medical attention.
In adults, emergency warning signs include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pressure, dizziness, confusion and severe or persistent vomiting. In children, emergency warning signs include fast or troubled breathing, bluish skin color, lack of thirst, failure to wake up easily or interact, not wanting to be held, return of fever and worse cough after improvement of symptoms and fever with a rash.
Officials said people can prevent flu by frequent hand washing and good hygiene and by getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available to the public later this month or early next month.
“We will continue our strong community efforts in taking necessary steps to prevent the flu this season and hope that people in the community will continue as well,” said Crystal Caudill, public health director of the Wedco District Health Department, which includes Scott County. “Getting vaccinated is the No. 1 way to prevent the flu.”