| 5/3/2009 |
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H1N1 Influenza Facts (Swine flu)
Contact Information Media Contact Janna Williams 501-212-8646
What is the H1N1 Flu? H1N1 Influenza, or “Swine Flu” is a virus that can make people (and pigs or “swine”) sick. Like the common winter flu, this flu can be mild or severe, and some people have even died from it. What does H1N1 Flu look or feel like? H1N1 flu looks and feels like other flu viruses – fever (temperature over 100), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, severe tiredness, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. How do you get H1N1 flu? If you use your unwashed hands to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a surface (doorknob, desk, chair arm) that may have virus on it, you might catch the flu. If a person with flu coughs or sneezes droplets into the air that you breathe, you might catch the flu. You cannot catch “Swine flu” by cooking or preparing pork. How is H1N1 flu treated? Antibiotics do not work to treat viruses like flu. There is not a shot to prevent or cure H1N1/ Swine flu. There are medicines that can make you less sick for less time if your doctor finds out quickly that you have this flu. You can also use ibuprofen and acetaminophen to help you feel better. (You can buy these without a doctor’s prescription.) What should I do if I get symptoms of H1N1 flu? Call your doctor and limit contact with other people if you have a fever (temperature over 100) and have a cough, runny nose, or sore throat. Your doctor or health care provider will figure out if you need to be tested for H1N1 flu. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others. Courtesy of Piedmont Health Services - Written using info from http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ as of 4:30PM on 5/1/09 For the most current information about swine flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at: www.cdc.gov/swineflu. You will find consumer and provider fact sheets, current information, and steps you can take to protect yourself against infection.
Do not get H1N1 Flu….
Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Keep sick children at home. You can help prevent others from catching the illness.
Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. You could also cough or sneeze into your elbow.
Wash your hands often: Washing your hands and the hands of your children can help protect you from germs and viruses.
Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs or viruses can be spread this way. Wash your hands before and after if you must touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Practice other good health habits: Get plenty of sleep, be active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat lots of healthy foods.
At the CDC site you will also be able to download a widget that you can post to your own website to help your patients and constituents get the most current and accurate information.