Public Health information on Seasonal Influenza and H1N1 Flu

Seasonal Influenza and 2009 H1N1

Update 02/23/10

What is Influenza or the Flu?

Influenza, or 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 symptoms are very similar for both seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1 influenza. Symptoms of flu include:

fever or chills and
cough or sore throat.
runny nose,
body aches,
headache,
tiredness,
diarrhea and/or vomiting (usually in young children).

Anyone who has the symptoms of flu-like illness should stay home, except for going to the doctor, and not go to work or school.

What is Seasonal Flu vs H1N1?

Seasonal Influenza and H1N1 Influenza are two different strains of Influenza. The vaccine for each is different. Different people are at higher risk for each strain of influenza. To be immunized against both, you will need both vaccines.

Those at highest risk for complications from Season Influenza include :

older people,
young children,
pregnant women, and
people with certain health conditions.

Those at the highest risk for serious complications from H1N1 are somewhat different. They include:

pregnant women,
young children, and
people with underlying health problems.

Persons with asthma, diabetes, cancer, blood disorders, COPD, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological or neuromuscular disorders or have weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for complications from either strain of influenza.

Older people appear to be less at risk for contracting H1N1

Vaccine:

Public Health and Riverwood HealthCare have been administering Season Flu Shots in Aitkin County. Public Health wants Aitkin County citizens to know that Seasonal Flu Vaccine does NOT cover H1N1 Influenza. H1N1 Vaccine is not yet available to the public.

At this time, Public Health of Aitkin County is out of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and will not be ordering more seasonal vaccine as they will be continuing to conduct H1N1 Vaccination Clinics.
Riverwood HealthCare Center has Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. They have served everyone on their waiting list. Children age 9 and under who have never received a seasonal flu shot before, and have only received one so far this fall, need to get a second dose. If you would like to get a seasonal flu shot, call Riverwood’s flu line at 888-303-4550.

H1N1 Vaccine is now available for most of the general public.

It is important to remember that though H1N1 influenza appears to have stabilized and is on a decline in some areas, H1N1 is still circulating and may rise in a third wave during the seasonal influenza season North America (which predominantly peaks in February and March). It is NOT too late to get the H1N1 Vaccine.
Two more County Sponsored clinics have been set up for this season:
- March 17, 2010, from 8 am to Noon. In the Public Health office at the Health & Human Services building in Aitkin.
- March 31, 2010, from 1 pm to 4 pm. In the Public Health office at the Health & Human Services building in Aitkin.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®). Read detailed information about how long to stay away from others.
If you have influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, or sore throat, and sometime also with symptoms of nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact you health care provider or call the MN FluLine at 1-866-259-4655.

For more information, visit:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/flu
http://www.flu.gov
http://www.mdh.flu.com