H1N1 influenza frequently asked questions on Owatonna

Q. What is H1N1?
• Novel H1N1 influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Last April, this entirely new (novel) strain of flu arrived in the United States and quickly became widespread, making many people sick. It also spread quickly around the world. By early June, the World Health Organization declared the first global influenza pandemic in over 40 years.
Q. What are the symptoms of H1N1 influenza/flu?
H1N1 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include:
• fever (above 100)
• sore throat
• cough
• stuffy nose
• some people have body aches and headaches.
Q. What should I do if I or my family gets sick?
• Call your healthcare provider to determine if you need to be evaluated.
• Stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care if necessary.
Q. Are H1N1 vaccinations being given in Steele County yet?
• No. National and international health authorities are working urgently with vaccine manufacturers to develop and produce H1N1 vaccine. While they are close to having one or more vaccines ready, they must go through clinical trials to make sure they are safe. The federal government estimates that a vaccine be ready sometime in October or November.
Q. Should I get the seasonal flu shot? Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against novel H1N1?
• The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. We expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the novel H1N1 vaccine. Because seasonal influenza can be a serious disease, we encourage individuals to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.
Seasonal Flu
Seasonal influenza is always a potentially serious, life-threatening illness — especially for people at high risk of complications. Nationwide, it kills an estimated 36,000 people a year, making it one of our leading causes of death, year in and year out.
Q. Are regular seasonal flu shots available yet?
• Some providers in our area have received their vaccine and are offering shots now. Watch for announcements on when other providers will offer the seasonal flu vaccine.
• The Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you get your seasonal flu shot as soon as it becomes available.
The following questions apply to both H1N1 and seasonal flu
Q. How is influenza spread?
• Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
• Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Q. Are flu symptoms different for novel H1N1 and seasonal flu?
• Flu symptoms for novel H1N1 flu are generally the same as the symptoms for regular “seasonal” flu. In some cases, symptoms of novel H1N1 can also include vomiting and diarrhea — which are not typically present with seasonal flu.
Q. What can I do to prevent spreading seasonal and novel H1N1 flu?
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue in the waste basket.
• If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve
• Clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible
• Stay healthy; eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep and exercise.
Q. Is there anything else I can do to prepare my family for seasonal and novel H1N1 flu?
• Make a plan: Plan what you will do if you or others in your family become ill or if schools or workplaces close for an extended time. This includes keeping important medical and emergency information hand and updated
• Make a kit: Fill boxes or plastic bins with everything you need to stay home for two weeks. Some suggested items include a thermometer, extra soap and water, alcohol based hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, pain reliever, non prescription cough and cold medicine, bleach/cleaning supplies, paper towels, and tissues.
Q. I work in the healthcare setting; do I need to get the seasonal and novel H1N1 flu shots?
• Yes. You especially need to get these shots. Receiving the shots protect you from acquiring the virus and prevents you from giving the virus to others you come in contact with.
Q. How can I help my community during pandemic flu or other health emergencies?
• You can volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps of Steele County. When a public health or other emergency happens, the need for volunteers will be great. The Medical Reserve Corps is looking for people trained in healthcare, public health and related fields, and others who are willing to volunteer their skills and time in the event of an emergency.
• The Medical Reserve Corps of Steele County (MRC–Steele County), sponsored by Steele County Public Health, is part of a national initiative to coordinate and mobilize volunteers during an emergency. MRC-Steele County will utilize volunteers who have registered with MN Responds, attended an orientation session and who have met the requirements of the local unit. You can register at www.mnresponds.org.
More influenza information can be obtained at:
www.health.state.mn.us
www.cdc.gov/flu
http://emergency.owatonna.info/
or by calling Steele County Public Health at (507) 444-7650.

Jane Nyquist is the health educator for Steele County Public Health.

Share:

Digg

Guidelines: Welcome to the Owatonna People's Press community. Please keep your comments civil. Don't attack other readers personally and keep your language decent. If you would like to report abuse click here to notify us.
Member Opinions: By: Brian_Sanburn on 9/14/09 It's interesting that this column made it's appearance only three days after my Letter to the Editor regarding the H1N1 vaccine appeared in the OPP (after having been in the OPP's possession for over two weeks prior to its publication). I'm sure it's a coincidence. In any event and in the interest of "full disclosure," I've provided links on this topic that some may find insightful: "CDC States H1N1 Vaccine May Maim and Kill 30,000 Americans, FDA Requires Minimal Efficacy" (http://www.globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=14950); "State preps to relocate quarantined H1N1 victims (http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=108548); "Massachusetts Pandemic Bill allows Health Authorities to Enter Homes, Detain without Warrant" (http://www.globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=15017); "Swine Flu: Path to Martial Law?" (http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=15099); "Military to receive mandatory swine flu vaccines" (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108789); "H1N1 Vaccine with Mercury and Squalene Pushed on Pregnant Women (opinion)" (http://www.naturalnews.com/027019_H1N1_pregnant_women_mercury.html); "It’s The Vaccines Stupid!" (http://www.globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=15074). By: NoteTaker on 9/15/09 Here's something to add to this whole mess: "FDA approves new swine flu vaccine." Go to http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_on_he_me/us_med_swine_flu. No surprise, of course. Interesting to me is this statement: "Getting licensing from the FDA means that the vaccine is made properly and meets specific manufacturing and quality standards." And how, exactly, does the FDA define "made properly" and "meets specific manufacturing and quality standards"? That'd be really useful information. By: Brian_Sanburn on 9/20/09 Interestingly, here (http://www.theshotheardroundtheworld.info/LettertoHealthCare.html) is a "H1N1 Letter Addressed to Health Care Professionals." It might be worth the time to peruse. By: AZgal on 10/2/09 Why does everyone think that our government is trying to enslave us? They can't even get their heads out of their behinds long enough to solve SIMPLE problems like how far they should monitor finances of insurance companies, let alone wipe us off the face of the earth. What would the point of that be. Don't you think the world is going to end in December or something? Bored with conspiracy theorists, AZgal By: TheHelp on 10/2/09 Hahaha. You think that is a "simple" problem? By: TheHelp on 10/2/09 And leave Brian alone...he contributed $698 to my buddy Ron Paul for the election. Too bad he didn't win.... ...regardless... By: secretsquirrel on 10/3/09 AZgal, before you start name calling and being mean, I should point out that you are not appropriately attired for discourse with our group. You must have overlooked the table near the door on your way into this thread. If you look to your left you will see several boxes of Reynold's wrap and a few coat hangers on the table. No, the hangers are not for your coat you silly realist! They are to make the antennas for your foil hat. How do you think we keep the government from reading out thoughts while we listen to the words of Nostradamus through our ear buds? That's how it works here and it will help you fit in nicely. Oh yes, and welcome..... to the twilight zone.
Login and voice your opinion!