Prevention & Treatment
Get Vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine
is different from the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine. The CDC is encouraging people
to get both vaccinations. Get the seasonal vaccination as soon as possible
and get the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccination as soon as it is available in early
fall.
Find a Flu Clinic Near You and Get Vaccinated. The American Lung Association
(ALA) has an online tool called, Flu Clinic Locator. Visit the ALA Flu Clinic
Locator to find a clinic near you.
If you do contract the flu, talk to your doctor about antivirals. Antiviral drugs
are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that can be used for
prevention or treatment of flu viruses. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can
make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. Two types of antivirals,
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU) and Zanamivir (RELENZA) may be effective against the H1N1
(Swine) flu. More information on medications and antivirals.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue 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.
- Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
If you must have close contact with a sick person (for example, hold a sick infant),
try to wear a facemask or N95 disposable respirator. More on Facemasks and Respirators.
Vaccination
- Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
- You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine is different from the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine. The CDC is encouraging people to get both vaccinations, as soon as each is available. MoreŠ
- The H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine should be ready for the public in the early fall. The CDC is concerned that the new H1N1 (Swine) flu virus could result in a particularly severe flu season this year. Vaccine manufacturers are in the process of developing and producing an H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine. MoreŠ
- The CDC recommends that certain priority groups receive the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. The CDC does not expect that there will be a shortage of H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine, but it is likely that initally, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. MoreŠ
The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate vaccinations. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is in development for the fall of 2009.
- The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 (Swine) flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and is intended to be used along-side the other.
- It is anticipated that seasonal flu and H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, it is likely that the seasonal vaccine will be available earlier than the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine.
- It is expected that the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine will require two injections per individual to ensure the appropriate immune response.
- The usual seasonal flu is still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available in early fall.
What are Antivirals?
- Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that can be used
to treat H1N1 (Swine) flu, or to prevent infection with H1N1 (Swine) flu viruses. These
medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.
- If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. The sooner a sick person is treated with an antiviral, the greater effect it will have on the patientąs recovery.
- Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective.
- There are four influenza antiviral drugs approved for use in the United States (oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine and rimantadine). Only two, oseltamivir and zanamivir are effective in treating H1N1 (Swine) flu.
|
|
Ely, MN