November 18, 2009
Influenza-like illness continues to be widespread in Onondaga County, and significant activity has been documented in several Onondaga County schools. The Health Department anticipates that the level of influenza-like illness in the community will remain high for the next several weeks. If you fall into a priority group for H1N1 flu vaccine, contact your health care provider to ask if they have vaccine available.
Novel H1N1 flu (swine flu) is a new virus that is transmitted by person-to-person contact. H1N1 causes similar illness as seasonal flu. Most individuals with flu-like illness probably have H1N1, not seasonal flu. Therefore, we are no longer reporting the number of new H1N1 cases, and testing is being done on a limited basis for tracking purposes only.
How can I protect myself and others?
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Wash especially
after you cough or sneeze. You can also use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Be sure that you cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Stay away from people who have symptoms of the flu until they are no longer sick.
• If you are sick and have symptoms of the flu, stay home from school, work, and areas where a lot of people gather. Do NOT go to the emergency room or urgent care facility for mild illness. CALL your doctor if you have severe symptoms.
Get medical attention right away if you:
• Have difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Have purple or blue discoloration of your lips
• Are vomiting and unable to keep liquids down, or
• Show signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing or being unable to urinate
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can receive the H1N1 vaccine?
At this time, individuals in the priority groups below are recommended to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. Once individuals in these priority groups have had a chance to get vaccinated, and there is adequate supply, H1N1 flu vaccine should be available to the general population. The priority groups for H1N1 vaccine are:
• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical services workers
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• People aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of serious illness and medical complications from the flu.
Where can I get the H1N1 vaccine for myself and my family?
Many physicians have already started to receive vaccine and many more will also start receiving vaccine in the coming weeks. If you are in one of the priority groups, contact your physician's office to see if they have vaccine. If your child is school-age, go to your school district's website to register your child for your district's H1N1 school clinic. These school clinics are exclusively for students and are being held at designated school district locations.
Will my child need a second dose of H1N1 vaccine?
Children through nine years of age (under 10 years) should get two doses of H1N1 vaccine about four weeks apart. Older children and adults need only one dose. Parents should call their child's primary care provider for the second dose.
My child recently experienced flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, aches, stuffy and runny nose) however was not tested for H1N1. Is it still recommended that my child get the H1N1 vaccine?
Yes, even if your child had flu-like symptoms, it is recommended that he/she get vaccinated against H1N1 unless influenza was confirmed. Because flu-like symptoms can be caused by many things other than H1N1, it important to still get your child vaccinated. Even if your child did have H1N1, it would not harm your child to get the vaccine.
Is the Novel H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine safe?
H1N1 vaccine is made the same way that seasonal vaccine is made. Currently this vaccine is being used in other countries without any significant problems. We expect the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a very good safety track record.
Where do pregnant women get the H1N1 vaccine?
Pregnant women are advised to contact their health care provider about getting the H1N1 vaccine.
How much does the H1N1 shot cost?
There is no charge for this shot although an administrative fee may be charged to insurance companies.
NEW! The New York State Department of Health now has a hotline to answer questions from the public and the medical community about H1N1 disease, vaccines, how to obtain vaccine, and the new regulations requiring flu vaccination in certain health care facilities. The hotline can be reached 24 hours per day by calling 1-800-808-1987 or call the Onondaga County Health Department at (315) 435-3280, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
General H1N1 Information
Click here to see a list of Onondaga County Health Department press releases.
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How Can I Protect Myself and My Family? (pdf)
¿Cómo puedo protegerme y proteger a mi familia? (pdf)
Spanish Checklist: Preparación Para Empresas en Una Pandemia de Gripe (pdf)
Businesses
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How to Prepare for Pandemic Flu (pdf)
Child Care Centers
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How to Prepare for Pandemic Flu (pdf)
Community and Faith-Based Organizations
H1N1: A Guide for Community and Faith-Based Organizations
Higher Education Institutions
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How to Prepare for Pandemic Flu (pdf)
Individuals and Families
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How to Prepare for Pandemic Flu (pdf)
Pregnant Women
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
Schools
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
How to Prepare for Pandemic Flu (pdf)
For more information please visit:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
World Health Organization
New York State Department of Health
Onondaga County Pandemic Flu Community Planning Guide
Para información adicional:
CDC: H1N1 en Espanol
Flu.gov en Espanol |
