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H1N1 (Swine) Flu Advisory

H1N1 Swine Flu Home -- Prevention - A Guide to Seasonal Flu

Cover your sneeze or cough. Wash your hands often. Stay home if you’re sick, until 24 hours after your fever breaks. Whether we are talking about seasonal flu or H1N1, the advice from Bucks County Health Department (BCHD) Director David Damsker, MD, MPH, is the same.   This year, health officials will be making provisions for both types of flu strains.  Although the symptoms are similar (fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting), vaccinations for the two types of flu will be handled differently.

Read More on "County Planning Efforts for H1N1 Underway"

H1N1 is not expected to be more severe than seasonal flu. All indications are the flu is not causing any more or more severe illness than in a normal flu season, and symptoms are the same. If you are medically eligible, you should receive both vaccines. The county will dispense the seasonal vaccine on October 17. However, the H1N1 vaccine is not yet available. Once it becomes available, it will be available from your physician who will have to register with the state to receive the free vaccine. Expect the vaccine sometime after late October. Consult your physician with any questions or concerns, as we each have individual medical histories.

Priority groups for H1N1 were identified by the CDC and include: healthcare workers, pregnant women, caregivers to those less than 6 months of age, all people ages 6 months to 24 years of age, and those 24 to 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions.   These individuals will receive the first vaccines. When more is shipped, it should be available to everyone through your doctor.

A recorded message hotline has been established for the public to call and hear up-to-date information.  Callers can dial 877-477-4492 and listen to the message, and leave a message for the Health Department staff if a call-back is requested.

The Bucks County Health Department is actively coordinating with state and federal health officials to remain updated on swine flu. The Pennsylvania Health Department has created the Web site "H1N1InPa.com" for information about H1N1, including how it spreads, symptoms and vaccine information. The PA Department of Health website is still being updated daily with the most recent Pennsylvania-specific case numbers information.

To stay informed, you can receive alerts to your cell phone or email by registering at www.ReadyNotifyPA.org and clicking on “Bucks.”   Are you and your family ready?  For helpful preparedness information, visit www.ReadyRegion.org.