Flu facts

From the Logan County Department of Public Health

[March 09, 2011]  If you are taking care of someone at home who has the flu, you should protect yourself and other people in the household.

• Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person. When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face.

• If close contact with a sick individual is unavoidable, consider wearing a face mask or respirator, if available and tolerable.

• Ask the person's health care provider about any special care that might be needed, especially if the person is pregnant or has a health condition such as diabetes, asthma or emphysema.

• Ask the patient's health care provider whether the patient, household contacts of the sick person or you, as the caregiver, should take antiviral medications.

• Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible, especially others who are at high risk of complications from the flu.

• Make sure everyone in the household cleans their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Seek medical attention right away if the patient:

• Has difficulty breathing.

• Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips.

• Is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down.

• Shows signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing, being unable to urinate or infants crying without shedding tears.

• Has seizures, such as uncontrolled convulsions.

• Is less responsive than normal or becomes confused.

The combined seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine is available at the Logan County Department of Public Health for anyone 6 months of age and older through walk-in clinic hours Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., or on the HOPE Mobile during its regularly scheduled stops.

For more information on the seasonal influenza vaccine, call the Logan County Department of Public Health at 217-735-2317.

For more information, visit www.flu.gov and www.lcdph.org.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]

Announcement sponsored by the Logan County Department of Public Health and the Pandemic Influenza Community Coalition.