H1N1 Pandemic Flu Info

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the H1N1 influenza as a phase 6 pandemic.  A pandemic is a global outbreak of a serious human flu for which there is little or no natural immunity.  The disease typically spreads easily from person to person.  The phase 6 designation reflects that there is widespread human infection in three or more countries in at least two WHO regions.  The H1N1 influenza is now widespread in the United States.

The severity of pandemics can change over time and differ by location or population.  We now know that:

·         Most people recover from H1N1 infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care

·         National levels of severe illness from H1N1 influenza appear to be similar to level seen during local seasonal influenza.

The single best way to prevent the seasonal flu is to get a flu vaccination each year.  Other precautions one can take to prevent the spread of seasonal flu or H1N1 influenza are:

·         Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

·         Wash hands often with soap and water

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

·         Try to avoid close contact with sick people

·"Does my child have the flu?": An Interactive Assessment-Guidelines for Parents
(Provided by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta)
·H1N1 Press Releases (see some titles below)
·H1N1 Provider Alerts 

For more information about pandemic influenza, send an email to fluinfo@sbcphd.org or phone 888-SBCoFlu (888-722-6358).

October 2, 2009
 Who Should Get Which Flu Vaccination When? [ release ]
 
 
September 30, 2009
 H1N1 Hospitalization Cases [ release ]
 
 
September 23, 2009
 Do you need to get a lab test for H1N1? [ release ]
 
 
September 18, 2009
 Antiviral Medications and H1N1 [ release ]
 
 
September 16, 2009
 H1N1 Flu Vaccine [ release ]
 
 
September 9, 2009
 H1N1 Hand Tranmission [ release ]
 
 
August 31, 2009
 Don't Let the Flu Bug You [ release ]