Who should get vaccinated for the H1N1 flu virus?

Those who are at a higher risk of severe complications from the flu should get vaccinated. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and those who suffer from chronic illnesses make up this high risk group.

According to the CDC, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications every year in the United States and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old.


What are the symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus?

 Symtoms include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills and fatigue
• A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

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

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• 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

What can I do to keep my family from catching or spreading the H1N1 flu virus?

If you become infected with the virus stay home and avoid contact with other for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone away.

Make sure your family practices clean habits like:

• Covering nose & mouth when coughing/ sneezing
• Washing hands after coughing or sneezing
• If unable to wash hands, then using anti-bacterial hand sanitizer
• Using disinfectant to clean surfaces like phones, doorknobs, computer keyboards, game controllers etc.
• Not sharing food or drinks
• Using disposible tissues if sick
• Avoiding contact with sick people

When will the H1N1 flu vaccines be available?

H1N1flu vaccines should be arriving in area clinics in mid to late October.