SEASONAL FLU

What is Influenza (flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is getting a flu vaccination each year.

Every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-reated complications; and
• about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications.

Symptoms of flu include:

• fever
• headache
• exteme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomitting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

At health departments in District 4, seasonal flu vaccine costs $25 for a flu shot and $35 for FluMist (nasal spray flu vaccine). FluMist is not available everywhere. It is recommended you call your local health department to make an appointment or find out about availability.

Seasonal flu vaccine is currently available in the following counties:

Fayette County

Most healthy people recover from the flu without complications. If you get the flu:

• Stay home from work or school.
• Get lots of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
• There are over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever).
• Remember that serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions and young children.
• Consult your doctor early on for the best treatment, but also be aware of emergency warning signs that require urgent medical attention.

Seek emergency medical care if you or someone you know is having any of following warning signs discussed below.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Additional Information

Brochures:

ARM YOURSELF AGAINST THE FLU

Fact sheets:

SEASONAL FLU AND H1N1

CARING FOR SICK PEOPLE IN THE HOME

Letters:

To parents of school-aged children 08.19.09, 08.24.09

Letter to clinicians 08.13.09

Press Releases:

08.18.09

08.19.09

2009 H1N1

H1N1 vaccine received at health departments is in very limited supply at this time and will be administered to the following priority groups:

Anyone 6 months-24 years old
Healthcare providers
Emergency Responders
Contacts or caregivers of infants less than 6 months old.

Locate your health department by clicking on Contact Us in the main navigation toolbar. H1N1 vaccine is being provided free of charge by Public Health, although administration fees may be charged to insurance, Medicaid or Medicare.

click here to search for H1N1 providers

2009 H1N1 LAIV should NOT be given to anyone with a severe allergy to eggs, long-term health problem or children younger than 5 years with asthma or a person who has had one or more episodes of wheezing during the past year.

All children 2 through 9 years of age getting a 2009 H1N1 vaccine will need two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine (either the 2009 H1N1 flu shot or the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine), The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose.

Questions and Anwers: 2009 H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine

What is H1N1?
H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in the United State is April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomitting associated with H1N1 flu. Most people who get it recover at home in approximately a week, the same as with seasonal flu.

Fever is one of several symptoms associated with influenza and is one measurable indicator of illness. However, fever itself does not cause infectivity. Transmission of viral illnesses may occur through infected droplets during coughing or sneezing even in people who do not have fever.

Influenza Like Illness and novel H1N1 School Guidance memo from Commissioner Meadows dated August 28th.

These are everyday actions you and your children can take to stay healthy:

• Do not send your child to school with a fever. Keep children with flu-like illness at home so they don’t infect others.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze (using your sleeve is good). If you use a tissue to cover coughs or sneezes, throw it in the trash after you use it. Teach your children to do the same.
• Avoid giving children aspirin and products that contain aspirin. Aspirin use with a virus has been associated with a rare medical problem called Reyes Syndrome. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective if regular soap and water is not available. Be a good role model for your children.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Have your family – including your children – vaccinated against regular seasonal flu.