How can I prepare now for H1N1 influenza?

• Store medical and health supplies, such as cough syrup, soap, and pain relief medicines.
• Know your employer's policies about sick leave and ask your employer about plans if employees get sick.
• At home, plan for backup child care if your child gets sick or schools or child care centers are closed.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu (swine flu)?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 flu also reported diarrhea and vomiting. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Similar to seasonal flu, swine flu may make chronic medical conditions worse.

When should I seek medical care?

Use the same judgment you would use during a typical flu season. Do not seek medical care if you are not ill or have mild symptoms for which you would not ordinarily seek medical care. If you have more severe symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or are feeling more seriously ill, call your health care provider to discuss your symptoms and if you need to be evaluated. If the following flu-like symptoms are mild, medical attention is not typically required.

•           Runny nose or nasal stuffiness

•           Low-grade fever for less than 3 days

•           Mild headache

•           Body aches

•           Mild stomach upset

If you get sick with influenza

• If you get sick, Public Health - Seattle & King County strongly recommends that you stay home from work or school so you can get better and keep others from getting sick.
•  Also, if you get sick with influenza, remain at home and avoid contact with others until you've had no fever for 24 hours.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu (swine flu)?

Yes, the antiviral oseltamivir or zanamivir (brand names Tamiflu and Relenza) can treat infection with H1N1 influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of symptoms).

How do I get Tamiflu or Relenza?

Health care providers can prescribe Tamiflu or Relenza after examining a patient and determining that person is sick enough to need the medication. Do not try to buy Tamiflu or Relenza from companies offering the drugs online without a prescription. If your doctor prescribes Tamiflu for you, do not give your medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

HEALTH PROTECTION TIPS

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

•           Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve 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.

•           Get a H1N1 influenza vaccine. The H1N1 influenza vaccine is not available yet, but it may be available in mid-October. In King County H1N1 vaccine will be distributed using Public Health clinics, private providers and pharmacies. Individuals and families can get their H1N1 influenza vaccine at the same place they get the seasonal flu vaccine.

•           Get your seasonal flu vaccine. The H1N1 influenza vaccine does not replace seasonal flu vaccine. It is important that people in high risk groups for seasonal flu get their seasonal influenza shot so that they are protected. Older individuals are at higher risk for seasonal flu and Public Health recommends they get the flu vaccine every years.

•           If you don't have one yet, consider developing a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, and other essential supplies. This is to avoid contact with other people as much as possible, including trips to the store. Prepare to get by for at least two weeks on what you have at home.

Should I wear a mask?

Facemasks (surgical masks) may prevent the wearer from coughing on others, and may protect the nose and mouth of the wearer from contact with other people's coughs. They do not offer complete protection because they do not fit tightly to the face, allowing very small air particles to leak in around the edge of the mask.

Public Health does not recommend the use of masks except for the following people:

            Sick people if they must be near others at home, or if they must leave the home (such as for an appointment with a health care provider).

            Caregivers of a people ill with influenza – when the caregiver leaves their home. This is to prevent spreading flu to others in case the caregiver is in the early stages of infection.

Whenever possible, do not rely on the use of facemasks or respirators alone to provide respiratory protection against novel influenza virus infection. The best way to prevent exposure to influenza is to avoid contact with ill people. Other steps include avoiding crowded setting and washing your hands frequently.

When using facemasks:

            Change masks when they become moist

            Do not leave masks dangling around the neck

            Throw away used masks

            After touching or throwing away a used mask, wash hands or use alcohol sanitizer

The City of Mercer Island works closely with King County and the State Department of Health in dealing with the effects of a pandemic.

For additional information please contact the below links or phone numbers:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu.aspx

http://www/flu.gov

http://flutracker.org

Business Preparedness for Pandemic

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/businesses.aspx

CDC Information Line: 800-232-4636 or 888-232-6348 TTY

A public Health Information Hotline has been established at 206-296-4949