H1N1 is a Medical and Financial Issue

The economy is stressing most of our businesses, and everyone is taking appropriate action to survive and to prosper once this recession is finally over. Yet there is a new threat to your business that can cause significant economic and personal damage underrated by the media, the H1N1 virus (aka "swine" flu). I believe it may cause a significant portion of your workforce to simultaneously miss at least a week's work, maybe two weeks. Since most of us have lean staffs in reaction to the recession, a substantial absence of key personnel could easily mean problems for our daily business operations. I am a business advisor not a medical professional, but I recently experienced the "flu" and found that it disrupted our business. I believe there are 3 reasons you should take it very seriously;

It is very contagious. On Sunday, August 2, 2008 I went out early for a fifty mile bike ride with some friends. Sure I woke up coughing the night before but I felt fine, in fact after the ride I picked up a dishwasher and arranged to meet my brother in law Doug at my home to install it about 3:00 -pm. Doug and his family planned to help out and stay for Sunday dinner. I started feeling bad about 4 pm and was in bed by 6:30. What I initially thought was a cold coming on hit me like a "ton of bricks." On Monday my wife Jane became as ill as fast as I did, and on Tuesday Doug and his family were infected as well. His daughter (10 yrs old) tested positive for H1N1 the next day. Here's the scary part, from my research you can start spreading the virus one day before symptoms become present! Either Jane or I could have infected Doug and his family even though at that time Jane was experiencing no symptoms

Swine flu virus, up close and personal

Can't imagine how many others I infected, I have no clue, but I have confidence that at least a few were infected on the ride, and at the store by having come in contact with me.

It is a very difficult flu. It was very incapacitating. I missed the entire work week beginning Aug 2nd. All the greatest hits of the flu are present; headache, fever, body ache, upper and lower GI issues, upper respiratory infection, and by far the worst feature lower respiratory infection. Constant coughing and wheezing are so awful sleep is nearly impossible. It was so bad that I pulled muscles in my back and chest from fits of coughing. Our physician prescribed what he could to relieve the symptoms and prevent other problems, but I understand there isn't much that can be done with a virus. Know this; I have never been that sick. Monday to Thursday was very terrible for me. In addition to a high fever and body aches I coughed so frequently and hard I thought I would cough up my feet.

It is persistent. I could not work from home for the first seven days. I am a workaholic, and proud of it. I love my practice. For those that needed me those seven days you have my apologies. I was out of it. In fact, I did not leave the lazy boy in our family room for any reason unless absolutely necessary. Same for my wife and my brother-in-law's family...the entire week was lost. The next week I struggled to work half time (more or less quarantined myself in my office) and even now a month later I still cough and my chest wall muscles are still sore.

A CDC H1N1 Diagnostic kit

Consider the impact on your business (and family) from the combination of a contagious, persistent and difficult flu. I suspect it could run through our office in days and take out most of my work force for at least a week. Add more don't forget lost time from employee - parents forced to stay home with their children. Client / customer service and work production could grind to a halt. My partner jokes I may be the only person at the office and might need to answer the phone. Not a very good joke, even from an accountant. But he may be absolutely correct! No matter it's a very expensive possibility. For some, this could be an even more serious medical event, which will of course have a more serious impact on our personal lives as well as our business.

Clearly, I am not a physician and I have no business providing any sort of medical advice. However I am strong recommending that you prepare for the H1N1 virus immediately. Please take a look at the following resources as soon as possible.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/swine-flu-faq-1

http://www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/lib/ctfluwatch/h1n1/h1n1_factsheet_english.pdf

And the video at;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wK1127fHQ4

These websites and many others will give you expert advice on how to deal with the H1N1 virus both at your workplace, and at your home.

The virus is here and it's spreading through some St Louis area school districts as well as the general population. We know that a vaccine is not going to be available for a month or more. That may be too late. There are procedures we can take to help reduce our risk to H1N1, the first of which is to become aware of its immediate and real threat to our family's and employees' personal health and our company's financial condition.

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