H1N1 General Information

VACCINE: H1N1 vaccine is expected  to begin arriving at the health dept. and at medical clinics in late October, but there will probably not be sufficient quantities for mass community based clinics until November or December. The vaccine will be given in phases, with the first vaccine being given to those at higher risk for complications. Those groups include pregnant women, children and young adults through age 24, 25-64 year olds with chronic medical problems, and caregivers of infants under age 6 months.

As soon as vaccine clinics are set up, we will put out that information to local media, as well as the 211 system, and our county website.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SICK  WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS  NOW: you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu.

However, some people are more likely to get flu complications and they should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms this season. They are:

• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have chronic medical problems, such as asthma or diabetes, or have weakened immune systems

Also, it’s possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider.

There are emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should get medical care right away.

What are the emergency warning signs?

In children

• 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

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

 There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it to avoid spreading the virus to others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• H₁N₁ cannot be transmitted by food.  You cannot get H₁N₁ from eating pork products.

. Current information on H₁N₁ is available at   www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov