1. Edition: June 2009 Fulcro Insurance
Health In Balance
PUERTO RICO AND THE WORLD IN ALERT Influenza H1N1
In This Issue Page The world is living today with an What are the signs and symptoms of the
Puerto Rico and the 1-2 uncertainty related to public health. As condition?
World In Alert days go by we hear about the progress
Influenza H1N1 The signs and symptoms of the swine flu
of the Swine Flu now referred as
Can your heart 3 are similar to the regular flu. These are
Influenza H1N1. With the improvement
handle it? fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches,
of our transportation systems, we are
Stretching the Dollar 3 headaches, chills and fatigue. Some
witnessing how this disease progresses
Generalized Anxiety 3 people have reported diarrhea and
rapidly from one country to another
Disorders vomiting. Having these symptoms this
affecting hundreds of people and
Healthy Crossword 4 does not necessarily mean that the
putting in risk many others. One of the
June Men’s Health 4 person has the swine flu. It may be a
question most of us are concerned with
Month case of regular seasonal flu. One
is what to do? The first, and most
important consideration is knowing if the
important thing is know what is really
FULCRO INSURANCE person has been in the last 7 days in any
happening. Keeping in touch with what
PO Box 9024048 of the countries or states were there are
San Juan, PR 00902-4048 health officials are saying is the best
confirmed cases of the flu.
Tel. 787-725-5880 alternative right now.
Fax. 787-721-0959 How does the swine flu spread?
What is the Swine Flu and why now is
different? The way this swine flu spreads is similar
Visit Us in the Internet to the way seasonal flu spreads. Flu
www.fulcroinsurance.com The swine flu is a respiratory disease
viruses are spread mainly from person to
that affects pigs and is caused by a
person through coughing or sneezing of
Type A influenza virus. Cases of human
people with the flu. Sometimes people
infection with this virus have been
may become infected by touching
reported in the past but the infection
something with the flu virus and then
was not likely to spread from one
touching their mouths, eyes or nose. The
person to another. from human to
swine flu virus can not spread by food.
human was very limited. The cases we
are now seeing is different because the How long can a person be considered as
virus has been able to adapt and be infectious?
very contagious. That is why now the A person with a confirmed diagnostic of
CDC has determined that this swine flu having the swine flu can be considered
Type A H1N1 is very contagious from infectious one day prior to the appearance
human to human.
Continúa en la página 2

2. HEALTH IN BALANCE / JUNE 2009 Page 2
IN ALERT PUERTO RICO AND THE WORLD Influenza H1N1
of any symptom and 7 days you have the symptoms of this
afterwards. condition and was exposed to the
previously specified geographical
What can I do to remain healthy?
areas, do not go back to work until
• Washing your hands you have been properly evaluated
frequently or using a hand by the health officials in your area.
sanitizer will be the best was
Is there any medication against
to protect your health.
the influenza H1N1?
• Avoid close contact with
Yes, there are antiviral drugs that
people who are sick
can help fight the infection by
• If you have plans to travel, keeping the flu virus from
verify with the health reproducing in your body. This
authorities which areas are allows your body to fight the “The Department
considered high risk and avoid disease and prevent of Health in
them as much as possible. complications than can cause Puerto Rico has
death. Until now, there is no
If I have the symptoms of the identified
vaccination available against this
influenza H1N1, what should I do?
virus. Most people can get better 106 Health
If you have the symptoms of the without the antiviral drugs. Centers to help in
influenza H1N1 and was visiting Medical interventions would be
the detection of
any of the countries or regions directed to keep the patient
were there are confirmed cases of cases with the
hydrated and treat the symptoms
the flu, you should seek medical related to the flu. influenza H1N1 ”
evaluation as soon as possible.
The Department of Health of All people diagnosed with the
Puerto Rico has identified 106 influenza H1N1 will receive
Health Centers around the island antiviral drugs.?
to be the ones to officially verify No. The drug treatment is For more information:
any suspicious case. Do not to indicated for people considered
Call:
visit the emergency rooms. Visiting high risk. These are children • Bio-security 787-690-6020
emergency rooms may put at risk younger than 5 years of age, • PAS Line 1-800-981-0023
many other people including pregnant women, people with • Epidemiology 787-690-8007
health care personnel. Take chronic conditions, people with Visit the internet:
preventive measures and cover compromised immune system or • www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
your nose and mouth when you people 65 years or older. espanol/info-general.htm
sneeze or cough and wash your • www.salud.gov.pr/
hands frequently with soap and InfluenzaPorcina/
Informacion/Pages/
water or with an alcohol base
Mensaje.aspx
hand sanitizer. If you know that
Information obtained from the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention and the Puerto Rico’s Department of Health.

3. HEALTH IN BALANCE / JUNE 2009 Page 3
Can your heart handle it?
If we would count every song the first cause of death in the Remember:
and every poem that refers to United States and Puerto Rico • Verify your blood pressure
our heart it would be a difficult are cardiovascular disease. level frequently
task to complete. For us , the One of the health risk factor
• Exercise
heart is symbol of love and the associated to cardiovascular
home of our feelings and • Use moderation when
disease is high blood pressure.
emotions. We give all our heart eating fat and sodium
(blood pressure 140/90 mg/
to a loved one and we get dL or higher). Keeping your • Eat healthy
heart broken when we are blood pressure under control • Eliminate smoking
betrayed. But do we really care will help to keep your heart • Control the amount of
for our heart? healthy. It is not enough to alcohol intake
Our heart in one of the vital romanticize your heart, you
• If you are on blood
organs we talk a lot about but, have to care of it. Adopting a
pressure medicines, take
for many people, is the most healthy lifestyles will help keep
then as indicated
ignored. This is proven to be your heart beating of joy and
happiness. • Manage your stress
true when you consider that
Stretching the Dollar
Today managing our personal credit cards transportation
finance has become an task • Do not visit stores just for • Look for ways to save on
worthy of a juggling act. In the fun and if you do have to go your water and light bills
uncertainty of our economic shopping, take a list of what • Organize your finance to
system the only thing clear is you really need achieve a savings plan of at
that we have to spend less and • Take only small amounts of least 10% of your income
save more. If you would like to cash in your wallet or purse • Identify and eliminate
stretch your dollar consider what • Take lunch to work unnecessary expenses
the experts are saying: • If you need to go shopping • Create a family budget and
• Pay in time to avoid take advantage of discount stick to it
surcharges and protect your sales Talk to a financial consultant to Ask your employer if you have
credit score • Save gas: travel with a co- receive more information on how an Employee Assistance
• Control the use of your worker, walk or use public to stretch your dollar. Program that can help you
organize your finances.
People with Generalized
Generalized Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorder go through
the day full of worries Generalized Anxiety Disorder is person that is diagnosed with • Dizziness
defined as a condition where a this disorder is conscious that • Frequent bowl movement
person worries in excess about the anxiety is exaggerated but • Sensation of lack of air
different issues related to the can not control it. The most • Sudden heat
every day life. The diagnostic is common symptoms include: If you have any of these
given when this situation is • Fatigue symptoms that persist
continuous through out six • Headache continuously for six months or
months ore more. These • Muscular tension and pain more, you may have Generalized
symptoms are accompanied by • Difficulty to swallow Anxiety Disorder. There are
an excess of tension, even when • Tremors treatments available for you.
there is nothing that provokes it. • Nervous tics Talk to your doctor or call your
The person may feel like there is • Irritability mental health provider for more
something wrong and is always • Transpiration information.
expecting the worst. Usually a • Nauseas

4. HEALTH IN BALANCE / JUNE 2009 d o c t o r r b a l a n c e a g r d o r Healthy Crossword
I b a s o g a a l i g c o p r f u m v e
Find the key words that
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 will help you be healthier
t f r u i t s p e v a r a d e r d j g x
1. water
r u t g o g r i c v u v e o g u o a t a
2. balance
r l o m e v u l s a e m u e a t s o a t
3. walking
k u s d d w a t e r d n r n n u l d p i
4. screening
k o p v u a e d a d o o t p e i t n u o 5. knowledge
n g n f n j n w m i b j f i d n n j s n 6. exercise
o j i e r e g f t o n v e s o m i g l j 7. fiber
w a l k i n g i i l h e w r g n a l t d 8. fruits
l l g e f f r n o t o g a n c e w d s o 9. doctor
e c p v d t j o l c a e a l v c t f g s 10. no smoking
d o r j u i w a r w s t g u r i d a d v 11. nutrition
g j e n l n e c g e s a f e t y s g w o 12. prevention
e o v f m h i a o u s b f m p n m j a f 13. relaxation
n r i c g d r l c n i l u j s i d c s d
14. health
15. safety
e r g l o r j f d e x e r c i s e o d c
16. vegetables
n o s m o k i n g v t s c o m f r v l a
JUNE: MEN’S HEALTH MONTH
On May 31, 1994, the then president, Did you know that men:
Bill Clinton signed the law 103-264
declaring the week that ends with • live unhealthier lives when
fathers day as Men’s Health Week. compared with women
With the passing of time, and
recognizing the importance of this • have a higher mortality rate in
issue, June has become the Men’s relation to the top ten causes of
Health Month. death than women
June is a good time to create
• represents 92% of the work
awareness of the importance of a
To be a healthier and related deaths
healthy habits for men. Habits than
more productive man: can help men live a longer, healthier
• are four times more at risk to son
• Visit your doctor regularly and and more productive life.
commit suicide caused by
complete your screening test
undiagnosed depression
according to your age
• Don’t smoke or use illicit drugs • visit less the doctor
• Eat healthy and exercise
• have a life 5.2 years lower than
• Use moderation if you drink
women
alcohol
• Practice safety at your work, your
home and when driving
• Be responsible in your sexual life
• If needed, ask for professional
help