A PAX 2009 attendee has a case of doctor confirmned H1N1 flu virus
reports target="_blank">Kotaku.com.
Event organizers urge all attendees to monitor symptons as there may
have been contact with the individual while he was contagious. The
entire story can be read href="http://kotaku.com/5354822/pax-organizers-report-confirmed-swine-flu-case-from-show"
target="_blank"> href="http://kotaku.com/5354822/pax-organizers-report-confirmed-swine-flu-case-from-show"
target="_blank">here.

"This
is the real thing. If you get this number of people together in
this close a proximity it is the perfect storm for these kind of wild
fire virus spreads," Penny Arcade's Robert Khoo told Kotaku. "We just
want to make sure everyone is informed."

Kudos to the develepor for alerting PAX officials so the word could be
spread. Any  gathering of people, from something as large as a
convention to more common daily events such as school or shopping
trips, can be an opportunity to come into contact with the virus during
flu season. 

Here is some information, along with some tips to help avoid the spread
of influenza, from the CDC:

style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">How
does novel H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity
and infection rates?


With
seasonal flu, seasons vary by timing, duration and severity. Seasonal
influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can
lead
to death. Each year, in the U.S. on average 36,000 people die from
flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are
style="font-style: italic;" />
hospitalized
from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children
younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about
60
percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.
Data
supports the conclusion that novel H1N1 flu has caused greater disease
burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older
people.
There have been few cases and few deaths reported in people older than
64 years old, which is unusual when compared with
seasonal
flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk
medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be
associated
with increased risk of 
complications from this novel H1N1. These underlying conditions include
asthma, diabetes,
style="font-style: italic;" />
suppressed
immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and
neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.


style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">How
long can an infected person spread this virus to others?


People
infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 virus may be able to infect
others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after.
This
can be longer, especially in children and people with weakened immune
systems and people infected with the new H1N1 virus.


style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What
can I do to protect myself from getting sick?


There
is no vaccine available yet to protect against novel H1N1 virus.
However, a novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and
may
be ready in the fall. A vaccine will be available to protect against
seasonal influenza.


style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Take
these everyday steps to protect your health:


•
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
the tissue in the trash after use.
style="font-style: italic;" />
•
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough
or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
style="font-style: italic;" />
•
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
style="font-style: italic;" />
•
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.


If
you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay
home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get
medical
care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the
use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others
style="font-style: italic;" />
as
much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Be
prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so;
over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand cleaners,
tissues
and other related items could be useful and help avoid the need to make
trips out in public while you are sick and contagious


style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">If I
have a family member at home who is sick with novel H1N1 flu, should I
go to work?


Employees
who are well but who have an ill family member at home with novel H1N1
flu can go to work as usual. These employees
should
monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including
washing their hands often with soap and water,
style="font-style: italic;" />
especially
after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also
effective. If they become ill, they should notify their
supervisor
and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or
who are pregnant should call their health care
style="font-style: italic;" />
provider
for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral
drugs to prevent illness.

style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" />
style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What
is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?


Washing
your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and
water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaners.
CDC
recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water --
that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and
water
are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel
sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets
and
drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel
doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on
your
hands.


style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What
should I do if I get sick?


If
you live in areas where people have been identified with novel H1N1 flu
and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including
fever,
body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or
diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other
style="font-style: italic;" />
people.
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your
fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other
necessities.
(Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing
medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to
keep
from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not
leave your home except to seek medical care. This means style="font-style: italic;">avoiding normal
activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events,
and public gatherings. style="font-style: italic;">If you have severe
illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your
health care provider or seek medical care. Your
health
care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
If
you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek
emergency medical care.

We here at Ten Ton Hammer hope that you stay safe and well during this
flu season.