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Get Your SHOTS!
Every flu season has the potential
to cause a lot of illness, doctor’s
visits, hospitalizations and
deaths. CDC is concerned that the
new H1N1 flu virus could result in a
particularly severe flu season this
year.
Vaccines are the best tool we have
to prevent influenza. The St
Croix
County Health Department and local
healthcare providers hope that
people will start to go out and get
vaccinated against seasonal
influenza as soon as vaccines become
available at their doctor’s offices
and in their communities. The
seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to
provide protection against novel
H1N1 influenza. However
a
novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in
production and may be ready for the
public in the fall. The
novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended
to replace the seasonal flu vaccine
– it is intended to be used
along-side seasonal flu vaccine.
This means that individuals will
need to get a seasonal influenza
vaccination and two novel H1N1
influenza vaccinations.
Learn more about the groups
recommended to receive the novel
H1N1 influenza vaccine.
Learn more about the major
differences between seasonal
influenza and pandemic influenza.
Protect Yourself
A H1N1 vaccine is currently being
developed. When available, a
listing of local providers and
clinics will be made available.
Until then, there are everyday
actions that can help prevent the
spread of germs that cause
respiratory illnesses like
influenza. Take these everyday steps
to protect your health:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash
after you use it.
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Wash your hands often with soap
and water, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based
hand cleaners are also
effective.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose
or mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Try to avoid close contact with
sick people.
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If you get sick with influenza,
CDC recommends that you stay
home from work or school and
limit contact with others to
keep from infecting them.
Have you seen a healthcare provider
recently with symptoms of H1N1
Influenza?
In order
to protect the health and safety of the
public and prevent the spread of
illness, the St Croix County Health
Department strongly recommends the
following:
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If you have influenza like illness,
regardless of what your lab results
say, you should remain home until 24
hours fever free (with no fever
reducing medication).
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