FLU & H1N1: It's all in one!

Mobile users: Receive
updates on your phone.
Text "Health" to 87000.

Flu activity in the United States is low now, making this an excellent time to get a flu vaccine. Usually the Flu seaon starts as early as October and lasts as late as may with peak activity in January and February in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states yearly vaccination is an important step to protecting against the Flu virus. They recommend that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated this season.  The 2011-2012 Flu vaccine has been updated to protect against the three flu viruses, including H1N1, that CDC expects will cause the most illness in the United States this season.

• Vaccinations Schedule & Info                                   
• Preventative Measures
• Guidelines for Exposure
• Resources & Web Links

Vaccinations Schedule & Info

• Flu Vaccines Clinic 

Preventative Measures

Basic Hand washing: Many of these recommendations are no different than routine good infection control and are valuable for preventing illness for the yearly seasonal influenza, which can also cause serious illness.

Guidelines to decrease spread of Seasonal Flu and Swine Flu viruses:

• Wash hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes (cough or sneeze into an arm or shoulder or into a tissue).
• (see "Why don't we do it in our Sleeves")
• Keep your distance from people who are coughing.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as eating/drinking utensils, toothbrushes, and towels, especially with ill persons.
• Eat well, get plenty of rest, be active, and don't smoke.
  
  
  
  

Guidelines for Exposure

If you have had very close contact (for example lives in the same household or work in the same office space) with a person with active influenza symptoms, you should:  

• Talk to your health care provider about whether to take antiviral medication for influenza.
• Watch carefully for symptoms of cough, sore throat, or runny nose.
• Stay home if fever and cough, runny nose, or sore throat develops to avoid infecting others; go home immediately if influenza-like symptoms occur at work or school.
• Seek early medical attention if you have a chronic health condition that puts you at risk for the complications of influenza. Seek medical care for severe respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing or for dehydration from vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• If you have influenza, stay home at least 24 hours after being fever-free without fever-reducing medications. Do not go to work or school with a fever.
  
  
  
  

Resources & Web Links

For more information consult your healthcare provider, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Take a look at Pandemic Prevention Video. This ten minute video was written for students in order to offer some facts about pandemic flu and tips for prevention.