Skip Sidebar navigation and go to main page content

A A PRINT

Clinical Services | Infectious Disease

H1N1 Influenza

 

        H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Schedule

Clinic Date
Location
Date Appts Made
Nov. 21
in all five counties
all appts filled
Nov. 30
Bonner, Kootenai counties

Nov. 23

5:30-8:30 pm

Nov. 24

5:30-7 pm

Call 877-415-5225

Dec. 12
in all five counties

Dec. 5

9 a.m. - noon

Call 877-415-5225

 

H1N1 tollfree Hotline is Open - 1-866-528-3501

Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Recorded updates on Information Call Line - 415-5299

 

                Total H1N1 Cases since September 1, 2009

Area
No. of Cases Confirmed

H1N1

Deaths

5 Northern Counties

11/9/09
 

32

1

 

H1N1 Vaccine Safety - Click to visit New Page!

H1N1 Vaccinations - Click to Visit New Page!

For Adult and Child Vaccination Consent Forms - Click!

Look and Listen! - H1N1 audio and video messages

 

 

Introducing

 

A

 

New Virus

 

What is H1N1 influenza?

H1N1 is a new flu virus to which most people have no immunity. Originally it was called "swine flu" because testing showed many of the genes in the new virus were similar to flu viruses that normally appear in pigs in North America. Further studies showed that the new virus also has genes from flu viruses that normally infect pigs in Europe and Asia as well as genes from flu viruses that infect birds and people.

 

What are the symptoms of H1N1?

H1N1 symptoms are similar to the symptoms of the seasonal flu that sickens hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year. H1N1 symptoms are:

  • fever
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • fatigue
  • body aches
  • headache
  • chills

Some people, particularly children, also have reported nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

 

What do I do if I think I have H1N1 flu?

  • If your symptoms include fever, sore throat, body aches, runny nose or vomiting or diarrhea, stay home and avoid contact with other people, except for medical care. If you're not in a high-risk group, you are likely to recover at home without medical care.
  • If your symptoms are severe or you're at high risk for flu complications, call your health care provider. It's likely you're contagious, so call first to prevent spreading the virus.
  • Seek emergency medical care if you experience any of these signs:
    • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • sudden dizziness
    • confusion
    • severe or persistent vomiting
    • flu-like symptoms that improve but return with fever and a worse cough
    • In children - bluish or gray skin color
    • not drinking enough fluids
    • severe or persistent vomiting
    • not waking up or interacting
    • being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held
    • fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • flu-like symptoms that improve but return with fever or a worse cough.

 

Is H1N1 dangerous to people?

Certain people are more likely to get complications from H1N1 flu. They are:

  • pregnant women
  • children younger than 5 years old
  • people of any age with chronic health problems, such as asthma, diabetes and cancer, or weakened immune systems.

Unlike with seasonal flu, adults older than 64 do not appear to be at increased risk of H1N1 flu-related complications so far.

Complications from H1N1 can include:

  • pneumonia
  • bronchitis
  • sinus and ear infections

The flu can also worsen chronic health problems. For example:

  • people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu;
  • the flu may trigger congestive chronic heart failure to worsen.

Anyone concerned about health risks should call their doctor.

 

How does H1N1 spread?

It is believed that H1N1 spreads through the air, much the same as the seasonal flu. People pass the flu to others through coughing and sneezing. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it, then touching their mouth or nose.

 

If I have H1N1 infection, how long am I contagious?

The CDC believes H1N1, like seasonal flu, is contagious one day before symptoms appear and for up to seven days after symptoms start.

 

Is there a way to prevent H1N1 infection?

A vaccine is in the works, but there are common sense actions you can take to help protect yourself and others:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in a waste basket with lid after.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, particularly after you sneeze or cough. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Keep a distance of 3-6 feet.
  • If you're sick, stay home for seven days after your symptoms start or until your symptoms have been gone for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

 

Are there medications to treat H1N1 infection?

Yes, antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that keep the flu viruses from reproducing in your body. Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and may prevent serious flu complications.

An H1N1 vaccine is being tested with an October release to the public planned. The following groups need extra protection from the H1N1 virus and may be scheduled for the first doses:

  • pregnant women.
  • people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old because children that age are too young for the vaccine.
  • healthcare and emergency medical workers.
  • people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years and
  • people in the 25-64 age group with chronic health problems, such as asthma, diabetes and cancer, or weakened immune systems.

When the vaccine is available, the schedule for the five northern counties will be posted here.

 

Here are links to important information on H1N1:

Informational materials for schools, doctors'  offices, businesses, churches, hospitals, groups:

In Idaho

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

On Planning and Preparing

 



Skip Footer Navigation