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H1N1 Influenza Information
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine is recommended for everyone and both injectable
and nasal mist forms are available.
The Office Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Wednesday. All vaccines, including H1N1, are available. The H1N1 is free of charge.
There is still a need to get the H1N1 vaccine. Health authorities are predicting a possible third "wave" of cases. Protect yourself with the H1N1 vaccine.
H1N1 Clinics
The Health Department will continue to
give H1N1 influenza vaccine free of charge to all who want it as long as the supply lasts.
H1N1 Vaccine available at. . . .
Jefferson County Health Dept.
Lower Level
1541 Annex Road, Jefferson
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Every day EXCEPT Wednesday
Reminder to parents of children 9 and younger . . . a second dose of H1N1 given 30 days or more after the initial dose is recommended for maximum immunity.
What is H1N1?
H1N1 is a n ew Influenza virus that was identified in the spring of 2009. There was a lot of concern about the virus at first because no one knew how severe of an illness it was going to cause. As scientists and medical providers have studied the virus, they have learned that H1N1 causes only a mild to moderate illness in most cases. But, like any Influenza virus, there is the potential for people to become severely ill as a result of H1N1 Influenza.
Who should be tested for H1N1?
Testing is not necessary in most cases. The test for H1N1 influenza is expensive and there are a limited number of laboratory reagents available with which to run the test. The treatment for an influenza-like-illness is the same regardless of whether a person is tested or not. While testing is ultimately the decision of your medical provider, the state of Wisconsin offers fee-exempt testing only for select groups of people: hospitalized patients, pregnant women, children under the age of two years, health care workers (for infection control purposes), and those with a medical condition that increases their risk of complications from Influenza. Excessive and unnecessary testing has the potential to "shut down" emergency rooms and other health care facilities.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is an outbreak of a contagious illness that spreads from person-to-person over a large geographic area.
Please use the links below for the latest information:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm
http://www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov/www.dpi.wi.gov/sspw/pandemicflu.html
Symptoms
Symptoms include fever (greater than 100 degrees), sore throat, cough, chills, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion.
Prevention
What you can do to stay healthy.
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 hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza spreads person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Medical Treatment
Stay home if you are sick. Seek medical attention from you physician, clinic or local hospital if your symptoms are severe enough that you would normally do so. Antiviral medications may be prescribed at the discretion of your doctor. If you are at higher risk for complications from influenza or have a chronic disease contact your doctor as soon as possible following onset of an influenza-like illness.
For more information:
Contact Jefferson County Health Department at
920-674-7275 if you have questions about H1N1.
page last updated on 2/11/10 |
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