Watch the H1N1 health conversation from Monday, Sept. 14
            
                 

Watch the FGCA H1N1 Webinar

Materials from the Webinar:

Planning, Preparedness and Communication

H1N1 Flyer from the Sarasota County DOH

H1N1 Pandemic Flu Response Communication Considerations

It’s important to protect yourself and your family. Everyone can take precautions now to avoid the spread of the flu virus.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of an elbow.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel, especially after coughing and sneezing.
• Don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth.
• Monitor family members for flu symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, cough and sore throat.
• Avoid contact with those who are ill.
• If you or a family member becomes ill, stay home from work, day care, school or alternate care programs for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees or more). Postpone travel until you are well.

An H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine may be available in mid-October. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all citizens receive H1N1 flu shots. Visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm for information about high risk groups for the H1N1 (swine) flu illness. The decision to take the vaccine is voluntary; there are no plans to make it mandatory for anyone. Sarasota County Health Department officials will share information about H1N1 (swine) flu vaccinations once they have more details.

The Sarasota County Health Department has increased its health monitoring capabilities and has trained public school health staff about reducing the spread of flu. This includes evaluating children who display flu symptoms, sending them to the school health rooms until parents/guardian can pick them up. The district’s automated telephone phone message system will notify parents as needed.

Seasonal Influenza also remains a concern. Being vaccinated is your best defense against the seasonal flu. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three different viruses, which change every year. People who get vaccinated against seasonal flu can expect to have immunity within two weeks of vaccination. Health officials say that the protection you get from the vaccine will continue throughout the flu season. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the H1N1 (swine) flu virus.

The Sarasota County Health Department has a flu information line – 941-861-2800 – with details about community, seasonal flu shot clinics and seasonal flu vaccine for children. The first public seasonal flu shot clinics will start in early September.

The flu information lines are updated with current information during flu season:

• Sarasota County Health Department: 861-2800
• Florida Department of Health: Toll-free: 877- 352-3581.
  • Live operators available from: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole
• Centers for Disease Control: 800-CDC-INFO, 800-232-4636.
  • Available in English and Spanish CDC TTY: 888-232-6348

More information is available at the Sarasota County Health Department Web site, www.sarasotahealth.org and at www.myflusafety.com. Both sites are updated regularly.