Here are some helpful tips provided by OUSD:
Prevention is very important!
H1N1 vaccinations are provided free by the government to health care providers. The goal is to inoculate half of the population. Some agencies may charge a fee for giving the shot/nasal spray. However, vaccinations are available for free at many locations.
Priority for vaccinations….
- Health care workers
- Children ages 6 mo. to 24 years
- Pregnant women
- People ages 25-64 with chronic health conditions (like asthma, diabetes or cardiovascular disease) or who have a compromised immune system
- Adults age 65+ (risk to get H1N1 is less compared to the other groups)
* Nasal spray is a weakened live virus and is given only to people ages 2-49. (It is NOT given to women who are pregnant or to people who have a compromised immune system.)
* H1N1 should be given in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine. Peak flu season for regular flu is January so get your flu shots now. Flu shots take 7-10 days for protection to occur.
* Don’t receive any flu vaccine if allergic to eggs!
*Treatment for H1N1 is the same as regular flu. Tamiflu should not be used unless there are actual signs of flu.
* Health Department is looking for clusters and excessive absences (10% higher than usual for that time of year.) H1N1 is determined by a buccal swab and it takes a week to get the results. People with uncomplicated flu symptoms are not being tested. Testing is mostly for those hospitalized with flu symptoms and people who live with a person who would need to know if he/she was exposed.
Go to http://www.orangeusd.org/H1N1/ to review hygiene practices that help to prevent getting the flu and also decrease the chance of spreading germs to others.
