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Oct 26, 2009 6:43 pm US/Central
Taking The H1N1 Flu Scare Out Of Halloween
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Doctors say the risk is low for getting H1N1 on Halloween, but you can never be too careful. (File)
CBS
The H1N1 flu is putting a scare in Halloween. Many parents are worried the bug could be passed on during trick-or-treating. But children aren't the only ones who have to be careful.
New tests show the H1N1 pandemic is spreading from school age children to adults. Quest Diagnostics recently tested more than 76,000 people. They say there is now an increase of adults ages 50 to 64 years old coming down with H1N1.
Most experts say this Halloween, children and adults should take a few precautions. Along with costumes, flashlights and bags, bring some hand sanitizer.
Doctors say the risk is low for getting H1N1 on Halloween, but you can never be too careful.
"Since you don't who is out there and who is sick and not sick, it's always a good idea to do good hand washing," said Dr. Stacene Maroushek, a pediatrician at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Parents will also want to be careful when handing out candy.
"You don't know if when that child puts the hand into that basket of candy. They may be spreading germs, so the parent or the adult that's giving out candy should be washing hands back and forth," said Dr. Maroushek.
Linnea Blaine is pregnant and has a toddler to take trick-or-treating. She's going to limit where they go.
"I guess it just depends on what houses we go to. I think we're going to stick to a couple of areas around my neighborhood," said Blaine.
Experts say children are more likely to get sick from trying on Halloween masks. If someone has tried on a mask and coughed or sneezed, the virus can live for a couple of hours. As for getting the virus on candy that's wrapped pretty well, it's highly unlikely.
"We're going to stick to the same thing that we've been doing, just try to disinfect real good, like maybe disinfect the wrappers a little bit," said Will Green, father of a toddler.
"As long as you're careful about opening up your candy and washing your hands afterwards so that you're not touching the wrapper and then eating the candy, I think you're fine," said Maroushek.
H1N1 has everyone thinking about what they are touching. Monday at HCMC's pediatric clinic they were no longer providing magazines, to help stop the spread of H1N1.
Sonya Goins, Producer
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