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TOPICS:
Tips & Precautions
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Info
Think you may have flu?
Prevention
Public Health Response
SPECIAL GROUPS:
LINKS TO MORE INFO:
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[page updated
07/14/2010]
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H1N1 (Swine) Flu - Vaccine Clinics:
Click here...
Latest updates:
H1N1 Resource Guide [2.8MB PDF - SCHD
- updated 10/13/09]
Flu information lines:
Sarasota County - (941) 861-2800
Centers for Disease Control - (800) CDC-INFO
[800-232-4636 - available in
English and Spanish]
CDC TTY - (888) 232-6348
Information in other languages:
Spanish |
American Sign Language |
More Languages
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Tips & Precautions
Making travel plans?
The CDC offers guidance for travelers concerned about H1N1 flu.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Information
What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
H1N1 Swine Flu, initially referred to as “swine
flu”, is a new
respiratory
influenza virus causing illness in people. This new
virus was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States.
It has since spread around the globe causing a pandemic, or worldwide
outbreak of disease.
H1N1 (swine) flu has caused more disease in people
younger than 25 years of age than older people. Generally, there
have been few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old.
This is unusual when compared with seasonal flu.
The majority of those who have become ill with
H1N1 (swine) flu have recovered.
The Florida Department of Health has advised county health
departments to discontinue reporting individual confirmed cases. This is
because these numbers do not represent what is really happening in the
community. There are established disease monitoring systems with local
hospitals, and sentinel physicians, and schools, all of which provide
vital information about influenza-like illness in our community. Through
these systems, we know that flu activity in Sarasota County is
now at a level we would expect in late February and in March, the peak
of the regular flu season. Virtually all flu that is circulating now is
the H1N1 flu, rather than the seasonal flu.
How does H1N1 (swine) flu spread?
Like seasonal flu, the H1N1 (swine) flu virus is spread
mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with
flu. When a healthy person breathes in these flu germs, or gets them in
their eyes, nose, or mouth, they are likely to
become ill. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something
with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. The virus
lives on hard surfaces such as countertops and desks for two to eight
hours. Therefore, it is advisable to wipe down hard surfaces that are
touched frequently such as desks and countertops with a disinfectant or
household cleaner. The H1N1 (swine) flu viruses are not
transmitted by food, including pork products.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in
people?
The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms
of regular human flu and include fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or
higher, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In
addition to these symptoms, some people have reported diarrhea and
vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine) flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1
(swine) flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical
conditions. Children under five, pregnant women, and those with chronic
medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and obesity are most at
risk for complications from H1N1 (swine) flu.
More information:
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If you think you may have the flu
Seek medical care.
If you are experiencing cough, fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit
or higher, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue,
possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, please stay home. If your
symptoms worsen or you have chronic medical conditions, seek early
medical care. Contact your healthcare provider before
going to the office or clinic so that you or your child does not
needlessly expose others in the waiting room.
If you or your children experience any of these emergency warning
signs, seek medical care right away.
Emergency Warning Signs
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning
signs, seek emergency medical care.
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
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of
breath
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Pain or pressure in the chest or
abdomen
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Sudden dizziness
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Confusion
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Severe or persistent vomiting
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Flu-like symptoms improve but then
return with fever and worse cough
Follow medical advice and do not leave your home until you are well.
Stay home from work/school/travel.
Be prepared to stay home from work, and keep sick children home
from day care, school and alternate care programs for least 24 hours
after free from fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications.
This is usually about 3 to 5 days. Working parents are urged to develop
a plan for child care in the event their child becomes ill. Health
officials also recommend postponing travel plans until you are well.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu IS treatable.
Under a doctor's supervision, if taken early, prescription drugs
can reduce the risk of complications and shorten the
length of illness. This is especially important for people with chronic
health problems, as well as children under age 5 and older
adults.
Info for Parents/Caregivers:
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H1N1 (swine) flu Prevention
Is there a vaccine for H1N1 flu?
Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends that all residents over six months of age receive H1N1 flu shots. The
decision to take the vaccine is voluntary; there are no plans to make it
mandatory for anyone.
Does my child still need the vaccine if they have had the flu?
If you think your child has had a flu-like illness in recent months,
you may be surprised to know that your child still needs to get the H1N1
vaccine.
Even if your child has had a quick test in your doctor’s office or
the hospital ER, this does not ensure that your child has immunity
against the H1N1 virus. There is still time to get your child
vaccinated.
How does the H1N1 vaccine compare to the seasonal flu
vaccine?
Both vaccines are produced the same way.
In
children under age 10, two doses of the H1N1 flu
vaccine given at least 28 days apart are required for full protection.
As
of March 1, 2010, the H1N1 flu mist vaccine is no longer available.
The current seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the H1N1
flu virus. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three different flu
viruses which change every year. There are plans to include the 2009
H1N1 flu strain in this year’s seasonal flu vaccine which will become
available in the fall. People who get vaccinated against seasonal flu
can expect to have immunity within two weeks of vaccination. Health
officials say that the protection you get from the vaccine will continue
throughout the flu season.
Besides getting vaccinated, what can I do to prevent flu?
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.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners (sanitizers) are also
effective. Rub hands together for 20 seconds. This is the amount of
time it takes for children to sing the Happy Birthday song twice.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are coughing or
otherwise appear ill.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through
coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or
school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Those who are sick and sharing a common space
with other household members in your home, are advised to wear a
facemask, if one is available and tolerable, to help prevent
spreading the virus to others.
Those who experience illness should take time to fully recover.
Stay home from work or school if illness is suspected to cut down on
exposure.
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Sarasota/Regional Public Health Response
The current outbreak of H1N1 (swine) flu is being monitored very
closely by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), Florida's Department of Health (DOH), and Sarasota County Health
Department (SCHD).
SCHD is taking the following steps to monitor the H1N1
(swine) flu:
- SCHD is following Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
(CDC) and Florida Department of Health (DOH) guidance.
- SCHD has increased disease monitoring capabilities by alerting
healthcare providers including sentinel flu physicians and local
hospitals.
- Public health
emergencies.
- The Florida Department of Health operates state laboratories
that can safely identify influenza samples. Additionally, we have
the ability to monitor the sale of over the counter drugs, as well
as emergency room visits, to detect early warning signs of increased
influenza activity. To date, the H1N1 (swine) flu has been much like
seasonal flu in terms of its severity, among those affected.
More information on the public health response:
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Meet the Public Health
Response Team
During a disease outbreak, the county epidemiologist Scott
Pritchard, M.P.H. works closely the medical executive director
William C. Heymann, M.D., F.A.C.E.P.
For Health Care Providers:
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