District Health Department #2

Flu Clinic Schedules

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H1N1 Flu Information

Symptoms of H1N1 flu develop three to five days after exposure occurs and continue for about eight days. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Body aches
• Cough
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• ·        Vomiting

The virus is transmitted by inhaling infected droplets or by touching a contaminated surface and transferring it to one’s eyes, nose or mouth. H1N1 flu has been most prevalent among school-aged children.

If flu symptoms do occur, these measures may help ease discomfort and quicken recovery time: Drink plenty of water, juice, and clear broth to avoid dehydration, make sure to get plenty of rest, and follow directions for taking fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Make sure to stay home if illness does incur to prevent the spread of flu to others. Antiviral prescriptions for Tamiflu and Relenza are available for people who are at high risk of complications: Pregnant women, children younger than 5 years of age, seniors 65 and older, and those with chronic conditions or who are immunosuppressed. If you have flu symptoms and experience shortness of breath, rapid breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, persistent vomiting, or sudden dizziness, please see your provider or go to the emergency room. Otherwise, the vast majority of people who incur the flu fully recover at home with little or no medical treatment.

Vaccinations for 2009 H1N1 flu has been developed, but is slow to arrive to providers. Because of this, priority groups need to receive the vaccine first. These populations consist of:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for infants younger than 6 months of age because young infants are at a higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old may help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
  • Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
  • Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,

• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

As soon as more quantities of H1N1 vaccine become available, it will be offered to the general public. The Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccination against both H1N1 and seasonal flu this year, since vaccines are the best way to prevent influenza.  

Other preventative measures include frequent hand washing, using an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer when soap and water are not available, sneezing or coughing into a tissue or elbow rather than hands, disinfecting frequently touched objects, and staying away from crowds if possible.