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Washington County Public
Health Info: H1N1 FLU Information.
Washington County Public Health is monitoring the situation of the
outbreak of H1N1 Flu. We have been preparing to deal with this type of
incident for several years and are working closely with the New York
State Health Department. We have begun implementing very comprehensive
plans to respond to this current situation, which will enable us to
respond as quickly as our resources allow.
Current
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2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: Vaccine Information
If you get sick
with flu-like symptoms this flu season, you should stay home and avoid contact
with other people except to get medical care. Most people with 2009 H1N1 have
had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the
same is true of seasonal flu.
However, some people are more likely to get flu complications and they should
talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they
get flu symptoms this season. They are:
-Children younger than 5, but especially
children younger than 2 years old
-People 65 and older
-Pregnant women
-People who have:
Cancer
Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive •
pulmonary disease (COPD)]
Diabetes
Heart disease
Kidney disorders
Liver disorders
Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple
sclerosis)
Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)
Also, it’s possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu
so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider.
There are emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should get medical
care right away.
What are the emergency warning signs?
In children
-Fast breathing or trouble breathing
-Bluish skin color
-Not drinking enough fluids
-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
-Fever with a rash
In adults
-Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
-Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
-Sudden dizziness
-Confusion
-Severe or persistent vomiting
If you have further questions about H1N1 Flu you can call the New York
State Health Department Hot Line at For questions, call the Department's
hotline at 1-800-808-1987 or visit their website at
www.health.state.ny.us*,
the CDC website
www.cdc.gov *
or the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
FLU website
http://flu.gov/*
For more info Download / Print the
following:
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2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu:
What To Do If You Get Sick
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Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu:
A Guide for Parent
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2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu:
Vaccine Information
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H1N1 Advice for Pregnant Women
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Cover Your Cough
Even though there is no pandemic
flu in the world as of yet, you can prepare for an Influenza pandemic now. The
CDC has published a Pandemic Flu Checklist for Individuals and Families. This
informational document is not unlike any previous disaster preparedness
guideline, however, you should become familiar with what could happen and to
what magnitude an pandemic could impact your daily activities and inform your
family now of what actions can be taken to prepare. If you would like a copy of
this checklist please go to
www.cdc.gov
and click on the “Pandemic Flu” section. It is very
possible area governments will ask citizens to stay home during the initial
phase of such an event so it is important to keep a supply of food and water on
hand.
We take shopping for granted; thinking
that there will always be an unending supply of what we need.
| If you wait until there is an emergency to
“stock up” it might be too late as the picture of empty grocery store shelves
here will testify. |
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 Helping
Everyone Help Themselves
I n an effort to assist everyone to
be better prepared in the event of ANY type of emergency, trends for
preparedness are encouraging all citizens to take ownership for their own
readiness and safety. Many stories and experiences were expressed after the
recent wind storm that leave many residents without power for days in some
areas.
Not to beat a dead horse but everyone
needs to have some type of preparedness plan in place. People with special needs
should have a back-up family member who is able and willing to assist with
continuation of vital services for oxygen, meals, secondary power, medication
delivery, and transportation. There is minimal nursing care if any
provided in shelters. Patients who they choose to go to a shelter MUST supply
their own medications and oxygen and a family member to care for them.
People who use space heaters that require
kerosene are at additional risk for carbon monoxide poisoning if the equipment
is improperly used. So if elderly people remain at home and use this type of
heat they need to be monitored for safety. On the other hand in very hot
weather prepare to stay cool. Cooling or heating shelters may be open in
communities if needed to provide residents with the ability to have a place to
go to cool down or get warm.
Nonperishable foods that are
nutritious, enough for 10-14 days for each family member, should be kept on
hand and be easy to open, prepare and eat in the event
of extended power outages. A manual can opener should be included in your emergency
supply kit.
An extra supply of fresh batteries
should also be kept as flashlights or other battery run items will quickly run
out of power as well with extended use.
It is a good idea to compile a list of any
important phone numbers in advance so they can be easily accessed, and a “landline”
or hard wire phone should be brought out of storage to replace any cordless.
Only each individual knows what is the best plan for themselves and their loved
ones. Plans should customized to meet the needs of every family member
including those with fur or feathers. Remember pets are not allowed in
shelters so make arrangements for them in advance.
If you would like more information on
Influenza or Pandemic Influenza you may call Washington County Public Health
(518) 746-2400 or 1-800-624-4221.
Other Pandemic Flu
Information
*Links to external sites are
provided as a convenience.
Washington County has no control over the format or content of any
information found on any external site.
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