H1N1 Flu Information - updated 02/05/2010 03:49 PM

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Worried about H1N1 FLU? Here's what you should do.
IF YOU ARE	AND YOU HAVE	YOU SHOULD
Not at High Risk →	Fever (100.4°) plus cough or sore throat →	Stay home and treat your symptoms
At high risk of flu complications* →	Fever (100.4°) plus cough or sore throat →	Call your doctor to talk about whether you need medicine for the flu.
Anybody with sever illness like difficulty breathing →	Fever (100.4°) plus cough or sore throat →	See a doctor right away. If you call 911, say you may have severe flu.

*People at higher risk of flu complications and will be targeted for vaccine as soon as it arrives are:

Pregnant women
Persons who live with or provide care for children younger than 6 months of age
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu complications (i.e. asthma, diabetes, immunocompromised)

H1N1 Flu: What You Need To Know

What is H1N1 flu?

H1N1 flu is caused by a virus similar to regular (seasonal) flu. The illness can cause fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, aches, chills and stuff nose. H1N1 flu spreads when a sick person coughs or sneezes. You can also get infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your own mouth or nose.

How can I protect myself and others from H1N1 flu?

Don't get too close to people who are sick. If you get sick yourself, avoid close contact with other people.
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever and cough?

Stay home from school or work until 24 hours after your fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
If you are over 65, under 2 or pregnant-or you have asthma or other health problems-call your doctor to see if you need medicine. Your doctor may be able to give you a prescription over the phone.
You don't need to go to an emergency room unless you have severe symptoms, such as breathing problems, sudden dizziness, confusion, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, severe or persistent vomiting, not waking up or not interacting; or if flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

When do I need medicine for the flu?

Most people recover without medication, but some people are more likely to get severely ill with the flu. Those at risk include pregnant women, persons who live with or or provide care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all people from 6 months through 24 years of age, and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu complications (for example: asthma, diabetes).

If you belong to one of these groups and you come down with symptoms of flu, call your health care provider to talk about whether you need medicine for the flu.

Should I send my children to school?

If your child is sick, he or she should stay to rest and avoid giving the flu to other children. Keep your child home from school or daycare for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

For more information, please visit www.dhhs.ne.gov, www.cdc.gov or www.flu.gov.

H1N1 Vaccination Consent Forms

H1N1 Vaccination Information Sheets

H1N1 Resources

Sign up for H1N1 Updates from Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
School and Childcare Dismissal CDC Guidance
Disinfecting Procedures
Reproducible Fact Sheet for Schools
Reproducible Fact Sheet for Child Care Providers
H1N1 Presentation *slide 26 must be updated with most recent case information
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Information in ASL Sign Language

Information in Spanish

Three Spanish public service announcements about H1N1 flu

General Information on H1N1 Flu in Spanish

Frequently Asked Questions, Spanish Version

Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs
Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick.
Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Keep sick children at home. You will prevent others from catching the illness.
Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often.
Washing your hands and the hands of your children often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

It is important for to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Everyone should take the everyday preventive actions listed above.

If you develop an illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.

Disinfecting hard surfaces is one way to help stop the spread of the 2009-H1N1 flu virus. A list of over 500 antimicrobial products registered by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against influenza A viruses on hard surfaces is available at http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html.

The EPA emphasizes the importance of following label instructions to ensure the safe and effective use of these products in specific sites, including hospitals and other health care settings, homes, schools, offices and farms. Registered disinfectant products are for use on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as door knobs, handles, tables, floors, etc. EPA also emphasizes that these products are not to be used on the skin or to be taken orally. EPA-registered products have label information that states they are effective against “Influenza A virus.”

For more information about EPA registered antimicrobial products, please visit EPA’s Web site at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/antimicrobials/.