Important Information about H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)

According to El Paso County Department of Health and Environment, this will be an unusual flu season. As you may know, the new H1N1 flu emerged in the spring and now is a pandemic. Seasonal flu is also spreading throughout our community.

That means we will soon have two distinct flu viruses in the community, each causing similar symptoms. We expect to see more illness in our community than we have in past years, and both flus have the potential to be serious.

Protect yourself, your family and our community by doing the following:

• Stay home when you are sick: Stay home from work, school, church, sporting events, everything. Avoid infecting friends, co-workers and others around you.
• Prepare to stay home: Make sure you have food, medicine and other supplies to care for yourself or others when sick at home. Prepare now for the care of your sick children at home if you are at work. 
• Wash your hands, cover your cough: This helps prevent the spread of the flu.
• Get Your Flu Shot(s):
  • Seasonal Flu vaccine: Get the seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes available this fall. Memorial will not be providing flu shots this year. A complete list of community flu shot clinics is available at immunizecolorado.com or by calling 211.
  • H1N1 vaccine: Information about the H1N1 vaccine will be provided as it becomes available.
• Watch for updates: The latest updates will be provided by El Paso County Department of Health and Environment at elpasocountyhealth.org.
• H1N1 Hot Line is available in Spanish and English at (877) 462-2911 

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What To Do If You Think You Have the Flu

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Common Flu Symptoms:

• fever
• coughing
• sneezing
• nasal congestion
• sore throat
• chills
• body aches (muscle or joint pain)
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

People with mild flu illness should:

• stay at home
• stay away from other people
• take fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or ibuprofin
• drink fluids (water)
• rest

Who is at higher risk of developing flu-related complications?

• children younger than 5, especially children younger than 2
• adults 65 and older
• pregnant women
• people with cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders, weakened immune systems

If you think you have the flu and are at-risk of complications, you should speak with your health care provider.

When to seek emergency help:

In children:

• fast or troubled breathing
• bluish skin color
• not drinking enough fluids
• not waking up or not interacting
• being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• fever with a rash

In adults:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• sudden dizziness
• confusion
• severe or persistent vomiting

If you or a child have any of the above symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

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More About H1N1 Influenza

Watch this short little video to learn how to tell if you have the flu and what to do if you get the flu.

Watch the interview with Dr. Martin on H1N1 Influenza and pregnancy.

Other resources:

» Download: Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families (.pdf/62K)

El Paso County Department of Health and Environment
www.elpasocountyhealth.org

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
www.cdphe.state.co.us

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

H1N1 Flu Hot Line (English and Spanish)
877-462-2911