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HUMAN SWINE INFLUENZA (H1N1)

The Cook County Department of Public Health has set up 4 District Offices in which residents can call and schedule an H1N1 vaccination. For information on scheduling please click here. Beginning in early December, residents can also schedule the H1N1 vaccination with Skokie's Health Department. Please go to www.skokie.org for information on scheduling and updates.

For more information on the H1N1 Flu, please contact:
Cook County Department of Public Health - 708-492-2000
Illinois Department of Public Health - 800-782-7860

Flu season in the U.S. usually occurs between October and April and causes approximately 36,000 deaths each year. Unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 flu has affected more people under the age of 25 and fewer people over the age of 64. Public Health officials believe the H1N1 flu will continue to spread throughout the fall and winter months with regular flu viruses.  

The best defense to prevent any flu is a good offense:

In our mission to keep our residents informed and up to date with news and information regarding the virus, the Village has provided the following elemental information regarding the influenza:

What is Swine Flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.

Is Swine Flu contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of Swine Flu in people?
The symptoms of Swine Flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body and headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with Swine Flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with severe Swine Flu infection. Like seasonal flu, Swine Flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand-washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

·         Fast breathing or trouble breathing
·         Bluish skin color
·         Not drinking enough fluids
·         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
·         Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

·         Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
·         Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
·         Sudden dizziness
·         Confusion
·         Severe or persistent vomiting

The Cook County Department of Public Health has established a hotline to address any concerns or questions residents may have regarding Swine Flu. The hotline is (708) 492-2150.

Additional Hotlines set up by the Cook County Emergency Management Agency:

For English - 866-848-2094
For Spanish - 866-241-2138

 For additional information, please click on the following links:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ 
http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccines.htm 
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/ 
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/