FAQ

  1. I think I have the flu. What should I do, and when should I check with my doctor? ↑ TOP

    The health department recommendations for persons who are otherwise healthy and have the flu:

    • You can take care of flu at home.
    • You should get plenty of rest.
    • You should drink plenty of non-alcoholic beverages (enough to urinate 3-4 times a day).
    • Take over-the-counter medicine for fever but do not use aspirin on children age 18 or younger.
    • Take over-the-counter cough medicine if you have a cough.
    • Take over-the-counter decongestants for a stopped up nose.
    • Stay away from work, school, etc. until you have had no fever over 100 when you have been off the fever medicine for a whole day.

    The health department recommendations for checking with a doctor or other provider are:

    • If you are pregnant, notify your provider
    • If you have heart trouble, asthma, lung disease or any other serious medical condition, notify your provider.
    • If you have been taking care of yourself at home and your symptoms are getting worse or not getting better after 2 days, notify your provider.
    • If you have children under 2 years old.

  2. How do I prevent the spread of H1N1? ↑ TOP

    The same steps used to prevent the common cold and seasonal flu virus apply when trying to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. The following are some general steps that schools and families can follow:

    • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (long enough for children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice).
    • If soap and water is not available, apply ½ teaspoon (nickel-sized) of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to the palm of the hand. Rub hands together, covering all surfaces until hands are dry (approximately 20 seconds).
    • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of the elbow. (Dispose of tissue immediately.)
    • Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
    • Avoid touching the eyes, mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
    • Keep children home from school, day care or other social gatherings if they are sick.
    • School personnel or parents should stay home from work or other public settings if sick.
    • Avoid crowed places where people are confined in an indoor space.

  3. When will H1N1 shots be available and where can I get them? ↑ TOP

    H1N1 shots began in late October. For those 6 months to 9 years old, H1N1 shots could be a series of two shots, the second coming about four weeks after the first is received. For those 10 and older, there will only be one shot needed. The health department will be providing free H1N1 shots at mass vaccination clinics on weekends in November and December. Watch LexFluCrew.com for details.

  4. Which groups are most at risk for H1N1? ↑ TOP

    The H1N1 vaccine is being targeted for the following groups:

    • Pregnant women
    • People between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
    • People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
    • People ages 25-64 with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
    • Health care and emergency services personnel.

    Since these groups are most at risk, it is important that they have the chance to get the vaccine first. Once these groups have been targeted, other groups will still be able to receive the vaccine.

  5. Is the H1N1 vaccine safe? ↑ TOP

    The side effects from 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine are expected to be similar to those from seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following vaccination are expected to be mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Some people might experience headache, muscle aches, fever, nausea and fainting. If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and may last as long as 1-2 days. Like any medicines, vaccines can cause serious problems like severe allergic reactions. However, life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. In 1976, an earlier type of swine flu vaccine was associated with cases of a severe paralytic illness called Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) at a rate of approximately 1 case of GBS per 100,000 persons vaccinated. Some studies done since 1976 have shown a small risk of GBS in persons who received the seasonal influenza vaccine. This risk is estimated to be no more than 1 case of GBS per 1 million persons vaccinated. Since then, flu vaccines have not been clearly linked to GBS. GBS has a number of different causes, and GBS can occur in a person who has never received an influenza vaccine. The potential benefits of influenza vaccination in preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death substantially outweigh these estimates of risk for vaccine-associated GBS.

    Anyone who has a severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs or to any other substance in the vaccine should not get the vaccine. People should always inform their immunization provider if they have any severe allergies, if they’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction following flu vaccination, or if they have ever had GBS.

  6. Where can I get the most recent information about H1N1 or seasonal flu? ↑ TOP

    This site will be maintained daily with information the Lexington Fayette-County Health Department receives regarding both types of flu. You can also call the Flu Hotline, day or night, at 288-7529 or send an email to the Lex Flu Crew here.

  7. What is H1N1 Flu? ↑ TOP

    The H1N1 is a type of influenza (flu) virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. The H1N1 virus is thought to spread the same way the seasonal flu is spread, through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. The virus may spread when persons touch respiratory droplets on hard services and objects then touch their mouths, noses and eyes.

  8. Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”? ↑ TOP

    This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.

  9. Do I need to wear a mask? ↑ TOP

    If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards. If you are sick and must travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose. Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.

  10. Who is at risk for H1N1 Flu? ↑ TOP

    Children ages 6 months to 25 years, childcare workers, pregnant women, caregivers and those in the medical field, and those with chronic illnesses (like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease) are most at risk. Children are a major source of the spread of disease. They shed the greatest amount of virus and pose the greatest risk of transmission. Furthermore, school settings mix children from different communities in a compact environment.

    In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
    One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of 2009 H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against 2009 H1N1 flu by any existing antibody.

  11. Why does the CDC recommend that pregnant women receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine? ↑ TOP

    It is important for a pregnant woman to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine as well as a seasonal influenza vaccine. A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu is at risk for serious complications and hospitalization. Pregnant women who are otherwise healthy have been severely impacted by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (formerly called “novel H1N1 flu” or “swine flu”). In comparison to the general population, a greater proportion of pregnant women infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus have been hospitalized. While hand washing, staying away from ill people, and other steps can help to protect pregnant women from influenza, vaccination is the single best way to protect against the flu

  12. How do I keep my kids safe? ↑ TOP

    Tip 1: Make sure your children get a seasonal flu vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine is available right now! The best way to protect against the flu – seasonal or 2009 H1N1 – is to get vaccinated. Children older than 6 months are a priority group for the H1N1 vaccine, which means they will be among the first to get the vaccine when it’s available. For more information about the H1N1 vaccine, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination.

    Tip 2: Encourage healthy hygiene in your home. Remind your kids to wash their hands and to cover their mouths with a tissue or shirtsleeve when they cough. Also, encourage them not to share drinks or eating utensils with their friends. For more guidance on hygiene tips for flu prevention, visit http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm.

    Tip 3: Make an effort to keep your kids’ play areas and toys clean. Use sanitizing wipes to wipe down toys, video games, and the computer. Visit http://nrckids.org for more information on cleaning in early childhood settings.

    Tip 4: If your child has a fever or displays symptoms of the flu, including body aches, sore throat, headache or a cough, keep your child home from school.

    Tip 5: Regularly visit this site, http://www.flu.gov, or call the Flu Hotline this flu season for the latest news about the flu and the vaccine, and for more tips to keep your family healthy this flu season.

    To read the CDC’s Child Care and Early Childhood Guidance, visit http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/childguidance.html.

  13. What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu? ↑ TOP

    • sudden onset of illness
    • fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees C)
    • chills
    • cough
    • headache
    • sore throat
    • stuffy nose
    • muscle aches
    • fatigue
    • diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and/or exhaustion — more commonly in children.

    Students and school staff should stay home when they have any of the above symptoms. Symptoms may last for up to seven days after symptoms first begin. Individuals with influenza-like illness should remain home for at least 24 hours after they are free of feverishness without the use of fever-reducing medications.

  14. Can you get the H1N1 flu from other people? ↑ TOP

    Yes. To protect yourself and others from the H1N1 flu:

    • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
    • Cough into your sleeve, not your hand.
    • Keep away from people who are sick with the flu.

  15. How do care for someone with the H1N1 flu? ↑ TOP

    • Check for a fever.
    • Give the person small amounts of water (if not throwing up).
    • Put used tissues in a trash bag.
    • Keep the person at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.

  16. How long can an infected person spread this virus to others? ↑ TOP

    People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

  17. I don’t have a primary care provider. What should I do? ↑ TOP

    The health department recommendations for persons who do not have a provider and are concerned that the have a serious problem with the flu:

    • You may decide to go to one of the urgent treatment centers in the area.
    • You may decide to go to one of the faith based primary care centers in the area.
    • You may decide to go to one of the primary care centers in the area.
    • You may decide to go to an emergency room in the area.
    • Please call 911 or a hospital emergency department if you have shortness of breath, worsening asthma or worsening heart trouble.

  18. When should I seek professional treatment? ↑ TOP

    If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

    • fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • bluish or gray skin color
    • not drinking enough fluids
    • severe or persistent vomiting
    • not waking up or not interacting
    • being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
    • flu-like symptoms improve, then return with fever and worse cough

    In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

    • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • sudden dizziness
    • confusion
    • severe or persistent vomiting
    • flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

  19. There is a case of H1N1 in my child’s school. Should I keep my child home? ↑ TOP

    No. We do not recommend keeping children home from school unless he/she has symptoms of illness, especially a fever above 100 degrees. School-age children who have the flu are instructed to stay home until he/she has been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication (like Tylenol) for at least 24 hours. Children who have been treated by a physician may return to school per guidelines even though they may still have some mild symptoms of illness such as a runny nose or cough. If the child no longer has a fever, they do not present a risk of spreading the illness. Remind children to wash hands frequently, cover their coughs and sneezes, and to not share food or drinks that others have eaten.

  20. What to do I do if I’m exposed to H1N1? ↑ TOP

    Anyone exposed to the H1N1 flu virus should do the following:

    • If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
    • If you have a fever, difficulty breathing, a cough, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should talk with a health care provider.
    • Your health care provider will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
    • Before visiting a health care setting, tell the provider about your symptoms and that you may have been exposed to the H1N1 virus.
    • Do not travel while sick, and limit your contact with others as much as possible to help prevent the spread of illness.

  21. Can I get infected with H1N1 from eating or preparing pork? ↑ TOP

    No. Novel H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

  22. How much will the shots cost? ↑ TOP

    The seasonal flu shots will be $25, and the H1N1 shots are free from the Lexington Health Department.

  23. Who needs the seasonal flu vaccine? ↑ TOP

    The seasonal flu shot is recommended to all people ages 6 months and older.

  24. Why are there two different shots? ↑ TOP

    The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine cover different strains of the virus. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine to protect people.

  25. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? ↑ TOP

    Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner*. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

  26. What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus? ↑ TOP

    To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

  27. What can I do to avoid the flu in general? ↑ TOP

    The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

    • Avoid close contact.
      Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
      If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
    • Cover your mouth and nose.
      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
    • Clean your hands.
      Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
      Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
    • Practice other good health habits.
      Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

  28. Can the seasonal influenza vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine be given at the same time? ↑ TOP

    It is anticipated that seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day but given at different sites (e.g. one shot in the left arm and the other shot in the right arm). However, we expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Pregnant women and others at increased risk of complications of influenza are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

  29. Is the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine safe for pregnant women? ↑ TOP

    Influenza vaccines have not been shown to cause harm to a pregnant woman or her baby. The seasonal flu shot (injection) is proven as safe and already recommended for pregnant women. The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make seasonal influenza vaccines.

  30. Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu? ↑ TOP

    The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu. Similarly, the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine will not protect against seasonal influenza.

  31. What is the recommendation regarding "swine flu parties"? ↑ TOP

    “Swine flu parties” are gatherings during which people have close contact with a person who has 2009 H1N1 flu in order to become infected with the virus. The intent of these parties is for a person to become infected with what for many people has been a mild disease, in the hope of having natural immunity 2009 H1N1 flu virus that might circulate later and cause more severe disease.
    The Center for Disease Control does not recommend “swine flu parties” as a way to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu in the future. While the disease seen in the current 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak has been mild for many people, it has been severe and even fatal for others. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an individual or, equally important, for others to whom the intentionally infected person may spread the virus.
    CDC recommends that people with 2009 H1N1 flu avoid contact with others as much as possible. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.