See our H1N1 Influenza Resource Page
H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)
The H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus is a unique, new virus that has never been seen before. It is currently circulating in the United States, Iowa and has also been confirmed in Cerro Gordo County. Read our news release.
Vaccine shipments are now arriving in Cerro Gordo County. Read how Public Health is distributing H1N1 vaccine in Cerro Gordo County.
The world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic than any time in history.
~ (WHO Director General Margaret Chan
The good news is:
- It’s treatable
- We do have enough medicine to treat people and a new vaccine is currently being developed.
- You can protect yourself by taking the following measures:
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue). Throw used tissues in a trash can.
- After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- If you are ill with a respiratory illness (coughing and sneezing), stay home from work or school so you don’t make others sick.
- Avoid close contact with others who are coughing or appear to be ill.
- Symptoms of swine influenza include fever (greater than 100 F), along with cough, sore throat, headache and body aches, and extreme tiredness. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.
This is a new strain of influenza that has never been seen in humans or pigs.
The H1N1 influenza virus appears to be spread from one person to another.
H1N1 influenza viruses are not transmitted by food.
A person cannot get H1N1 swine flu from eating pork products.
How can businesses, schools, daycares, etc. prepare for an emergency? Visit our H1N1 Resource Page and our Pandemic Flu preparedness page
Can I do anything to avoid getting swine flu?
There are many things you can do to help prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses such as swine flu or seasonal flu:
- Avoid contact with people who are ill.
- Stay home from work or school when you are sick so you don’t spread your germs. Don’t run errands. Ask a friend or family member to help if necessary.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough (or cough/ sneeze on your shirt sleeve, not in your hands).
- Put your tissue in the trash. Then wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Wash your hands often with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. To help you remember, sing the “Happy Birthday” song to yourself two times.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Germs are spread when you touch a contaminated object, then you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Don’t share eating utensils or glasses.
- Clean surfaces, such as door handles, handrails, kitchen tables etc. frequently with a household cleaner or a bleach solution. (Mixing ¼ cup bleach with 1 gallon water). If disinfectant is not available, hot water and soap can be used. Cleaning surfaces is especially important when someone in the household is ill.
Read
more about seasonal influenza:
Influenza
prevention
Influenza
symptoms
Vaccine prices
What vaccines do children need?
What vaccines do adults need?
10/09 |
