POINT PLEASANT — Summertime brings many activities where large groups of people may gather.

These gatherings may be birthday parties, family reunions, sporting events, sport practices, band practices or even bible school events. The Center for Disease Control refers to a large public gathering as a grouping of many people in one place. In crowded settings, social distancing is difficult to maintain. Social distancing is a term referred to measures that increase the physical space between people and reduce their frequency of close contact.

This summer, with the introduction of H1N1 influenza circulating in the United States, it makes us want to stop and think about the possible exposure to illnesses, not only H1N1 influenza. As of the first week of July, West Virginia has reported 154 cases of H1N1 influenza with three of those cases being confirmed in Mason County.

According to the Mason County Health Department, the H1N1 virus is diagnosed after a culture specimen is confirmed by the state lab. The health department is then notified and they contact the person to infected to obtain a list of names of those that they have been in contact with during their contagious period. Those contact persons are then notified in order for them to be aware of symptoms and to take precautions to spread illness. Unfortunately, many illnesses are most contagious 24 hours before symptoms begin.

All the persons have experienced mild cases of the H1N1 influenza and have recovered at home. According to the health department, with such widespread occurrences of the H1N1 influenza across the United States, it was only a matter of time before the virus was confirmed in Mason County.

To protect yourself from acquiring influenza the first thing is to stay home if sick. You should stay home to allow your body to rest and recover. Those sick should stay home at least seven days or 24 hours after the illness goes away. Influenza like illnesses and flu like symptoms include a fever above 100 degrees and a cough or sore throat, when no other cause is found. Those who think they may have the flu should call a physician for an appoint.

Medicines called anti-virals are available and if started early may shorten the duration of the illness. If confirmed that you have H1N1 influenza, both you and your family may be placed on the anti-viral medications.

The health department recommends to frequently wash hands and to cover the mouth when coughing. Hot soap and water is best for hand washing, but if that is not available hand sanitizers that are alcohol based can be used. Hand sanitizers can be carried in purses, placed on desks at work as well as countertops at home. Hands should be washed before and after eating, after using the restroom and after coughing and sneezing. Hands also should touch the face as little as possible. Tissues are best for covering a cough, but if they are not readily available the CDC recommends coughing or sneezing into your sleeve.

According to the health department, those who are at high risk of developing complications from any viruses, for example, those with certain chronical medical conditions, children under the age of five, adults ages 65 and older and pregnant women, should consider their risk of exposure to flu viruses if they attend public gatherings in communities where viruses are circulating. The health department recommends those that are planning to attend day camps or sports practices to check with the people in charge of those events as to what their plan is to detect those who may become ill and to prevent the spread of disease.

Many leaders of these events have obtained information and guidance from the health department for early detection of illnesses to prevent the spread of illnesses among the group. According to the health department, parents and guardians should not to send children to these events if they are ill, particularly with a fever.

The Mason County Health Department is continuing to provide literature to various events to help increase the awareness on how to prevent the spread of flu viruses and any illness. Hospitals and physician offices in the county have received information on H1N1 viruses.