H1N1 (Swine Flu)

• Pinellas County Health Department
  Information line - Open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Phone: 824-6964
  
• Pinellas County School Board Information
• Florida Department of Health's H1N1 information page
  Florida's Department of Health launched a new hotline at 877-352-3581 to get the latest information about H1N1 in your area. You can also hear health and safety tips. The hotline is open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern Time). Information is available in multiple languages: English, Spanish and Creole
• The Centers for Disease Control's H1N1 information page
• Flu.gov, a comprehensive one-stop source for government information on pandemic flu
• The World Health Organization
• Personal Preparedness Checklist
• H1N1 Preparedness: An Community Affair

• OSHA's Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
• Flu.gov's Workplace Planning Guide
• Pandemic Flu Checklist
• Business Tool Kit

• The County's Flu Leave Policy
• Employee H1N1 Novel (Swine) Flu Infection Control Measures & Information.

• What do I do if I get symptoms?
• What do I do if I'm taking care of a sick person?
• How should I clean items to prevent the spread of the flu?
• Should I use a mask to prevent catching the flu?
• I have a special health condition.
• Is there a vaccination?
  
• Información en Español

The recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus (also known as the swine flu) and the declaration of a flu pandemic has raised concern nationwide. It is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system and can leave you feeling miserable for about a week.

The virus is spread when infected people cough or sneeze near others. Since the virus can live on surfaces for a few hours, someone who comes in contact with a contaminated surface, then touches their face, can become infected.

The symptoms for the H1N1 virus include:

• A fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Body aches
• Headaches
• Chills
• Extreme fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

The three key points to remember when trying to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus include:

• Wash your hands. Proper hand washing (with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds) or using hand sanitizers (containing more than 60% alcohol) are the best ways to prevent contracting the flu. Wash frequently throughout the day, especially before eating, after using the restroom and before touching your face.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes.  Keep your germs to yourself!  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue properly. If you are caught off guard, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Remember to wash your hands properly afterward.

• Stay home if you are sick. Everyone admires your dedication to the job but coming to work sick is a sure way to spread the flu.  Stay home, get plenty of rest and return to work 24 hours after your fever has broken.

While most people endure H1N1 with over-the-counter medications, rest and chicken soup, others at higher risk of serious complications should contact their health care provider for more information. These high-risk groups include children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease) and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications or infected with HIV). 

If the symptoms and treatment of the H1N1 virus seem similar to those of the seasonal flu, they are. These are all different strains of the influenza virus and work in identical ways. However, having the seasonal flu last year or getting a flu shot does not mean you are protected from H1N1. Likewise, if you contract the H1N1 virus, you are still susceptible to the regular seasonal flu.

A vaccine for the H1N1 virus is currently in trials and should be available by the fall.  Once it is available, getting the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent being infected. For more information on the flu, visit the Pinellas County Health Department’s website at www.pinellashealth.com or call (727) 824-6964.