Roll up your sleeve : arm yourself against the flu!

Division of Public Health
Arm Yourself Against the Flu!
Your Guide to Preventing the Flu and What to Do if You Get It How will you know if you have the seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1 flu? The symptoms are the same. The best thing to do is arm yourself with knowledge and take action to avoid getting or spreading the flu viruses.

Differences

Similarities

Seasonal Flu
Symptoms: Fever Sore throat Muscle aches Cough Runny nose Extreme fatigue
How is season flu spread? Typically it spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People also become infected when the virus gets on their hands and they rub their eyes or nose.
Who is at risk for seasonal flu? Anyone can get the seasonal flu.
Who should get the seasonal flu vaccine? High risk groups:
- C hildren 6 months through 18 years of age
- P eople 50 years and older - People with chronic diseases such
as diabetes or asthma - People living in nursing homes or
long-term care homes - W omen who are pregnant - H ealth care providers People living with anyone in a high risk group
Typical flu season: From October through May

2009 h1N1
Symptoms: Fever Sore throat Muscle aches Cough Runny nose Extreme fatigue
How is 2009 H1N1 spread? Typically it spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People also become infected when the virus gets on their hands and they rub their eyes or nose.
Who is at risk for 2009 H1N1? Anyone can get 2009 H1N1, however children, young adults and pregnant women seem to be at highest risk.
Who should get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine? High risk groups:
- C hildren 6 months through 24 years of age
- W omen who are pregnant - People 25 through 64 years of
age with chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma - People caring for infants less than 6 months of age - H ealth care providers
Please note: The Georgia Division of Public Health continues to monitor 2009 H1N1 severity levels.

Prevention
Wash your hands Wash hands according to the
Six Steps chart below or use alcohol-based sanitizer:
Six Steps to Effective Handwashing
to Prevent the Spread of Germs

Turn on warm Apply soap. water and wet hands.

Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds.

Rinse hands Dry hands

Use towel to

well under

completely with turn off faucet.

running water. a clean towel.

Cover your cough or sneeze C over your mouth and nose when
coughing or sneezing Use a tissue or cough/sneeze into
your sleeve to contain the droplets (don't cough or sneeze into your hands)
Other ways to stop the flu If you have flu symptoms, stay
home! Wait 24 hours after fever is gone (without the use of Tylenol or ibuprofen) before returning to school or work Avoid sick people; encourage them to stay home

Vaccinations
Two reasons to get vaccinated With two flu viruses circulating this year, seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1, you'll need two vaccinations to protect yourself. Each vaccine protects you only for that particular flu. Even if you received the seasonal flu vaccination last year, you'll need another one this year. The two flu viruses pose different risks to different groups of people (please see the other side for "Who is at risk for seasonal flu?" and "Who is at risk for 2009 H1N1?").
There are two types of vaccines available: the flu shot and nasal spray. The nasal spray is not for everyone (see below for who can get the nasal spray).
Who can get the nasal spray vaccine? If you are a healthy individual between 2 and 49 years of age, who is not pregnant and does not have a chronic health condition, then the nasal spray is an alternative to the seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1 shot.
2009 H1N1 vaccine T he vaccine is very important for
people in high risk groups L og onto health.state.ga.us/
h1n1flu to see a list of providers that may have the vaccine1 C all the flu and 2009 H1N1 Hotline at 888-H1N1-INFO (888-4161-4636)2 with questions about seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1 and the vaccines
1 Please contact the provider to check the availability of the vaccine

Seasonal flu vaccine side effects Most side effects are minor such as:
- S oreness, redness or swelling at site where the flu shot is given
- L ow grade fever or aches that last 1 to 2 days
Serious side effects are very uncommon Health risks associated with the flu are
much greater than the risks associated with the vaccine
Who should not be vaccinated against the seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1? People who have a severe allergy to
chicken eggs People who have had a severe
reaction after a previous dose of influenza vaccine People who developed Guillain-Barr syndrome within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine Children less than 6 months of age Contact your health provider if these apply to you
2009 H1N1 vaccine was manufactured in the same manner, by the same companies as the seasonal flu vaccine. For additional information on the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, call the flu and 2009 H1N1 Hotline at 888-H1N1-INFO (888-4161-4636) or log onto health. state.ga.us/h1n1flu
The benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks from complications of either flu
2 Health care providers, please call: 888-H1N1-MED (888-416-1633)

Got flu?
If you think you have the flu or H1N1: Get plenty of rest Drink plenty of caffeine-free liquids
to avoid dehydration Take non-aspirin pain relievers to
reduce fever Stay home from work or school Contact your health care provider if
you have questions about your illness
Child - Warning signs that urgent medical attention is needed: 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 but then
return with fever and worse cough
Adult - Warning signs that urgent medical attention is needed: 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

Remember...
Precautions everyone can take now are as simple as ABC: A: Act to protect yourself by washing
your hands regularly to diminish virus transmission. Use warm soapy water or alcohol based hand sanitizers. Also protect yourself by getting the seasonal flu shot this fall. B: Be considerate. With a tissue or your shirt sleeve, cover your mouth when you cough and your nose when you sneeze. If you or your child become ill, remain home, feel better, and avoid spreading the illness to others. C: Connect with your choice of trusted health information and keep up to date with information and recommendations about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.
For additional information on seasonal flu or H1N1, log onto:
dch.georgia.gov
health.state.ga.us
georgiahealthinfo.gov
cdc.gov/flu
cdc.gov/h1n1flu
flu.gov/seasonalflu