Health In Balance

Fulcro Insurance Ed

ition

: Jun

e 20

09

What are the signs and symptoms of the What are the signs and symptoms of the What are the signs and symptoms of the What are the signs and symptoms of the

condition?condition?condition?condition?

The signs and symptoms of the swine flu

are similar to the regular flu. These are

fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches,

headaches, chills and fatigue. Some

people have reported diarrhea and

vomiting. Having these symptoms this

does not necessarily mean that the

person has the swine flu. It may be a

case of regular seasonal flu. One

important consideration is knowing if the

person has been in the last 7 days in any

of the countries or states were there are

confirmed cases of the flu.

How does the swine flu spread?How does the swine flu spread?How does the swine flu spread?How does the swine flu spread?

The way this swine flu spreads is similar

to the way seasonal flu spreads. Flu

viruses are spread mainly from person to

person through coughing or sneezing of

people with the flu. Sometimes people

may become infected by touching

something with the flu virus and then

touching their mouths, eyes or nose. The

swine flu virus can not spread by food.

How long can a person be considered as How long can a person be considered as How long can a person be considered as How long can a person be considered as

infectious?infectious?infectious?infectious?

A person with a confirmed diagnostic of

having the swine flu can be considered

infectious one day prior to the appearance

PUERTO RICO AND THE WORLD IN ALERT PUERTO RICO AND THE WORLD IN ALERT Influenza H1N1

The world is living today with an

uncertainty related to public health. As

days go by we hear about the progress

of the Swine Flu now referred as

Influenza H1N1. With the improvement

of our transportation systems, we are

witnessing how this disease progresses

rapidly from one country to another

affecting hundreds of people and

putting in risk many others. One of the

question most of us are concerned with

is what to do? The first, and most

important thing is know what is really

happening. Keeping in touch with what

health officials are saying is the best

alternative right now.

What is the Swine Flu and why now is What is the Swine Flu and why now is What is the Swine Flu and why now is What is the Swine Flu and why now is

different?different?different?different?

The swine flu is a respiratory disease

that affects pigs and is caused by a

Type A influenza virus. Cases of human

infection with this virus have been

reported in the past but the infection

was not likely to spread from one

person to another. from human to

human was very limited. The cases we

are now seeing is different because the

virus has been able to adapt and be

very contagious. That is why now the

CDC has determined that this swine flu

Type A H1N1 is very contagious from

human to human.

Puerto Rico and the World In Alert Influenza H1N1

1 - 2

Can your heart handle it?

3

Stretching the Dollar 3

Generalized Anxiety Disorders

3

Healthy Crossword 4

June Men’s Health Month

4

In This Issue Page

Continúa en la página 2

FULCRO INSURANCE

PO Box 9024048

San Juan, PR 00902-4048

Tel. 787-725-5880

Fax. 787-721-0959

Visit Us in the Internet www.fulcroinsurance.com

of any symptom and 7 days

afterwards.

What can I do to remain healthy?What can I do to remain healthy?What can I do to remain healthy?What can I do to remain healthy?

• Washing your hands

frequently or using a hand

sanitizer will be the best was

to protect your health.

• Avoid close contact with

people who are sick

• If you have plans to travel,

verify with the health

authorities which areas are

considered high risk and avoid

them as much as possible.

If I have the symptoms of the If I have the symptoms of the If I have the symptoms of the If I have the symptoms of the

influenza H1N1, what should I do?influenza H1N1, what should I do?influenza H1N1, what should I do?influenza H1N1, what should I do?

If you have the symptoms of the

influenza H1N1 and was visiting

any of the countries or regions

were there are confirmed cases of

the flu, you should seek medical

evaluation as soon as possible.

The Department of Health of

Puerto Rico has identified 106

Health Centers around the island

to be the ones to officially verify

any suspicious case. Do not to

visit the emergency rooms. Visiting

emergency rooms may put at risk

many other people including

health care personnel. Take

preventive measures and cover

your nose and mouth when you

sneeze or cough and wash your

hands frequently with soap and

water or with an alcohol base

hand sanitizer. If you know that

you have the symptoms of this

condition and was exposed to the

previously specified geographical

areas, do not go back to work until

you have been properly evaluated

by the health officials in your area.

Is there any medication against Is there any medication against Is there any medication against Is there any medication against

the influenza H1N1?the influenza H1N1?the influenza H1N1?the influenza H1N1?

Yes, there are antiviral drugs that

can help fight the infection by

keeping the flu virus from

reproducing in your body. This

allows your body to fight the

disease and prevent

complications than can cause

death. Until now, there is no

vaccination available against this

virus. Most people can get better

without the antiviral drugs.

Medical interventions would be

directed to keep the patient

hydrated and treat the symptoms

related to the flu.

All people diagnosed with the All people diagnosed with the All people diagnosed with the All people diagnosed with the

influenza H1N1 will receive influenza H1N1 will receive influenza H1N1 will receive influenza H1N1 will receive

antiviral drugs.?antiviral drugs.?antiviral drugs.?antiviral drugs.?

No. The drug treatment is

indicated for people considered

high risk. These are children

younger than 5 years of age,

pregnant women, people with

chronic conditions, people with

compromised immune system or

people 65 years or older.

IN ALERT PUERTO RICO AND THE WORLD IN ALERT PUERTO RICO AND THE WORLD Influenza H1N1 Page 2

“The Department

of Health in

Puerto Rico has

identified

106 Health

Centers to help in

the detection of

cases with the

influenza H1N1 ”

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For more information:For more information:For more information:For more information:

Call:Call:Call:Call:

• Bio-security 787-690-6020

• PAS Line 1-800-981-0023

• Epidemiology 787-690-8007

Visit the internet:Visit the internet:Visit the internet:Visit the internet:

• www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

espanol/info-general.htm

• www.salud.gov.pr/

InfluenzaPorcina/

Informacion/Pages/

Mensaje.aspx

Information obtained from the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention and the Puerto Rico’s Department of Health.

person that is diagnosed with

this disorder is conscious that

the anxiety is exaggerated but

can not control it. The most

common symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscular tension and pain

• Difficulty to swallow

• Tremors

• Nervous tics

• Irritability

• Transpiration

• Nauseas

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is

defined as a condition where a

person worries in excess about

different issues related to the

every day life. The diagnostic is

given when this situation is

continuous through out six

months ore more. These

symptoms are accompanied by

an excess of tension, even when

there is nothing that provokes it.

The person may feel like there is

something wrong and is always

expecting the worst. Usually a

• Dizziness

• Frequent bowl movement

• Sensation of lack of air

• Sudden heat

If you have any of these

symptoms that persist

continuously for six months or

more, you may have Generalized

Anxiety Disorder. There are

treatments available for you.

Talk to your doctor or call your

mental health provider for more

information.

Can your heart handle it?

Generalized Anxiety Disorders

Page 3

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder go through the day full of worries

If we would count every song

and every poem that refers to

our heart it would be a difficult

task to complete. For us , the

heart is symbol of love and the

home of our feelings and

emotions. We give all our heart

to a loved one and we get

heart broken when we are

betrayed. But do we really care

for our heart?

Our heart in one of the vital

organs we talk a lot about but,

for many people, is the most

ignored. This is proven to be

true when you consider that

the first cause of death in the

United States and Puerto Rico

are cardiovascular disease.

One of the health risk factor

associated to cardiovascular

disease is high blood pressure.

(blood pressure 140/90 mg/

dL or higher). Keeping your

blood pressure under control

will help to keep your heart

healthy. It is not enough to

romanticize your heart, you

have to care of it. Adopting a

healthy lifestyles will help keep

your heart beating of joy and

happiness.

Remember:

• Verify your blood pressure

level frequently

• Exercise

• Use moderation when

eating fat and sodium

• Eat healthy

• Eliminate smoking

• Control the amount of

alcohol intake

• If you are on blood

pressure medicines, take

then as indicated

• Manage your stress

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credit cards

• Do not visit stores just for

fun and if you do have to go

shopping, take a list of what

you really need

• Take only small amounts of

cash in your wallet or purse

• Take lunch to work

• If you need to go shopping

take advantage of discount

sales

• Save gas: travel with a co-

worker, walk or use public

Today managing our personal

finance has become an task

worthy of a juggling act. In the

uncertainty of our economic

system the only thing clear is

that we have to spend less and

save more. If you would like to

stretch your dollar consider what

the experts are saying:

• Pay in time to avoid

surcharges and protect your

credit score

• Control the use of your

Stretching the Dollar

Ask your employer if you have an Employee Assistance Program that can help you organize your finances.

transportation

• Look for ways to save on

your water and light bills

• Organize your finance to

achieve a savings plan of at

least 10% of your income

• Identify and eliminate

unnecessary expenses

• Create a family budget and

stick to it

Talk to a financial consultant to

receive more information on how

to stretch your dollar.

1. water 2. balance 3. walking 4. screening 5. knowledge 6. exercise 7. fiber 8. fruits 9. doctor 10. no smoking 11. nutrition 12. prevention 13. relaxation 14. health 15. safety 16. vegetables

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On May 31, 1994, the then president,

Bill Clinton signed the law 103-264

declaring the week that ends with

fathers day as Men’s Health Week.

With the passing of time, and

recognizing the importance of this

issue, June has become the Men’s

Health Month.

June is a good time to create

awareness of the importance of a

healthy habits for men. Habits than

can help men live a longer, healthier

and more productive life.

To be a healthier and To be a healthier and To be a healthier and To be a healthier and

more productive man:more productive man:more productive man:more productive man:

• Visit your doctor regularly and

complete your screening test

according to your age

• Don’t smoke or use illicit drugs

• Eat healthy and exercise

• Use moderation if you drink

alcohol

• Practice safety at your work, your

home and when driving

• Be responsible in your sexual life

• If needed, ask for professional

help

JUNE: MEN’S HEALTH MONTH

Healthy Crossword

Find the key words that

will help you be healthier

d o c t o r r b a l a n c e a g r d o r

I b a s o g a a l i g c o p r f u m v e

e w l b e u p l o s s e c r e s g d e l

n a i v g n r r l a c f o l f i b e r a

t f r u i t s p e v a r a d e r d j g x

r u t g o g r i c v u v e o g u o a t a

r l o m e v u l s a e m u e a t s o a t

k u s d d w a t e r d n r n n u l d p i

k o p v u a e d a d o o t p e i t n u o

n g n f n j n w m i b j f i d n n j s n

o j i e r e g f t o n v e s o m i g l j

w a l k i n g i i l h e w r g n a l t d

l l g e f f r n o t o g a n c e w d s o

e c p v d t j o l c a e a l v c t f g s

d o r j u i w a r w s t g u r i d a d v

g j e n l n e c g e s a f e t y s g w o

e o v f m h i a o u s b f m p n m j a f

n r i c g d r l c n i l u j s i d c s d

e r g l o r j f d e x e r c i s e o d c

n o s m o k i n g v t s c o m f r v l a

Did you know that men:Did you know that men:Did you know that men:Did you know that men:

• live unhealthier lives when

compared with women

• have a higher mortality rate in

relation to the top ten causes of

death than women

• represents 92% of the work

related deaths

• are four times more at risk to son

commit suicide caused by

undiagnosed depression

• visit less the doctor

• have a life 5.2 years lower than

women