NEWS & ALERTS
Flu shots now available at the Health Department!
We are
now offering H1N1 Influenza Vaccinations
and Seasonal Flu
Vaccinations at the Health Department, 125 W. Elm (directly east of
the Salina Public Library).Vaccinations are available to anyone 6
months of age of older. It is not too late to get a flu shot.
Please wear short sleeves.
The
H1N1 Vaccine remains free
of charge, and will be available on Wednesdays from
1 PM to 6PM in our Conference Room.
Appointments are not needed.
You can download H1N1 Vaccine information.
Inactivated 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
Spanish
Live, Intranasal 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
Spanish
Seasonal Flu
Vaccine will also be
available at the Health Department Clinic.
Clinic hours are:
Mondays & Tuesdays
8:30AM to 4PM
Wednesdays
8:30AM to 6PM
Fridays
8:30AM to 1:30PM
Cost for the Seasonal Flu Vaccine is
$14 (for administration), payable at the time of injection.
Receipts will be available. Appointments are not needed.
Persons
with the
following health plans, who
bring their cards, may be covered:
Medicare Part B; Medicaid;
Children’s Mercy, Unicare,
Private Medicare Advantage Plan C
(ex: Humana Gold,
Secure Horizons,
Pyramid Today’s Options, Advantra Freedom, etc.)
English-language VIS
Spanish
According to the Kansas State Health
Officer, Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips “Although the 2009 H1N1 flu
virus has been less active lately, it is still circulating and
remains a threat, Flu activity normally peaks in February or March
in Kansas, and it is possible that a similar pattern will occur this
year with H1N1.”
Kansas
has had 27 confirmed deaths from H1N1 influenza virus this flu
season. It is important to remember that the number of deaths
confirmed to be caused by pandemic H1N1influenza under-represents
the true number of deaths. The great majority of all influenza or
pneumonia-related deaths that occur (pneumonia is the most common
severe complication of influenza) do not have a confirmatory lab
result associated with them.
The symptoms of infection with the
H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include
fever of 100 degrees or greater, body aches, coughing, sore throat,
respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
Most people who have been ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza have
recovered without medical treatment.
Restaurant Inspection and Food Safety Program was moved
to Kansas Department of Agriculture
H1N1 and Seasonal Flu
Be alert for scams regarding H1N1:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/11/h1n1.shtm
2009 H1N1 Immunizations AND Seasonal Flu vaccines
are now available
It is not too late to get a flu shot. Seasonal Flu
often peaks in late February, and sometimes continues into April.
We need more information over time, to determine what the pattern of
H1N1 flu will be.
The Salina-Saline County Health Department is
providing a Public H1N1 AND Seasonal Influenza vaccination clinic
on Thursday January 28th from 2 PM to 6 PM at the 4-H
Building in Kenwood Park. The immunizations are free of charge; and
available to anyone 6 months of age of older, regardless of risk.
You do not have to be a Saline County resident.
Our allotment of seasonal vaccine has finally
arrived!, and it is available at the next Flu Clinic, January 28th
from 2-4 PM at the 4-H Building in Kenwood Park. So when you show up at
the Flu Clinic, you may be asked if you want the H1N1 Vaccine, the
Seasonal Flu Vaccine, or both!
Since the funding for the vaccine comes from
different sources, a $14 fee will need to be charged for the Seasonal
Flu Vaccination, payable at the time of injection. The H1N1 vaccines are
still free.
If you have one of these health plans AND
bring your card, you may be covered:
Medicare Part B; Medicaid; Children's Mercy; Unicare;
Private Medicare Advantage Plan C (ex- Humana Gold, secure Horizons,
Pyramid Today's Options, Advantra Freeman, etc.) Receipts will be
available for self-filing to insurance.
The Salina-Saline County Health Department will
continue to offer weekly H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics every
Thursday in January from 2-6 PM at the 4H Building in Kenwood Park, but we will
not be offering flu immunizations at our clinic office in January.
Everyone 6
months of age and older is strongly encouraged to get a seasonal flu
shot annually. Monitor the news media for more information and dates of
public seasonal and H1N1 flu clinics in the community.
The numbers
of new flu cases currently in our area are about the same as expected
every year at this time, but we must anticipate and plan for the
occurrence of a third wave of illness among unimmunized people.
Continue hand hygiene and cough etiquette as preventive measures, and
stay home until 24 hours after your last fever, to avoid infecting
others.
2009 H1N1
vaccines are made in the same manner as seasonal flu vaccines, with good
safety records, both as nasal mist and as shots. The vaccine has been
tested, fully licensed, and is a good match for the circulating 2009
H1N1 virus, so it should provide good protection from this flu.
Other
measures that people can take to avoid getting the flu include:
v
Cover your cough and sneezes with
disposable tissues, then throw them in the trash, and wash your hands
with soap and water. Hand sanitizer (60-90% alcohol-based) may be used,
but handwashing is best.
v
If tissues are not available, cough or
sneeze into your elbow area, not into your hands.
v
Keep hands out of eyes, nose, and mouth.
v
Handwashing should be for at least 20
seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Use
soap and water.
v
Don’t share food and drink. Sports teams
label your water bottles - no sharing.
v
Never give aspirin for the flu.
v
Don’t ask your doctor for antibiotics.
They do not help the flu.
v
Stay informed about H1N1 swine flu.
v
Stay well by eating healthy foods,
getting enough exercise and rest, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding
cigarette smoke and all forms of tobacco.
v
Social Distancing - avoid crowds,
and keep a distance of 3-6 feet from other people, if possible.
Isolate sick family members in the home.
v
If there is a sick person in the
home, consider disinfecting high-touch shared hard surfaces with
cleansing wipes or sprays that say they will kill influenza virus. For
example: telephones, cell phones, computer keyboard and mouse, door
handles, toys, etc.
v
Stay home from school, work, and ALL
other activities for at least 24
hours after you are fever-free (without use of medications) when
sick with flu! Seek medical attention if needed.
Your patience has been appreciated as we followed
CDC and KDHE guidelines to first immunize those at highest risk of
getting H1N1 with very limited supplies, and we are very proud of how
our citizens and the medical community reacted! We now have enough vaccine
available for everyone who wants it.
For more information on H1N1:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
www.kdheks.gov
www.flu.gov
2009 H1N1 INFLUENZA Q & A
What is swine flu (novel 2009 H1N1
Influenza)?
Swine flu is a respiratory (lung) disease of pigs caused by type
A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.
People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can
and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread
from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was
limited and not sustained beyond three people.
An updated case count of confirmed
swine flu infections in the United States is kept at
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local
and state health agencies are working together to investigate
this situation.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu in
people?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms
of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body
aches, headache, 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 swine flu infection in people. Like
seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying
chronic medical conditions.
How does H1N1 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.
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 H1N1 flu to
others?
People with H1N1 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 should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good
general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active,
manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious food,
and avoid tobacco smoke. Try not touch surfaces that may be
contaminated with the flu virus.
There is a vaccine available to protect against H1N1 flu,
although it is in short supply. There are everyday actions that
can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory
illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect
your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm or
sleeve.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners
(60-95% alcohol) are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread
this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you
stay home from work or school and
limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to
avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from
germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with a 60-95%
alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your
hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20
seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based
disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can
find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub
your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to
work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
Contact your 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 suspect flu, do not use aspirin to treat fever and
aches. Use Tylenol or Ibuprofen instead.
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
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing
pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You
cannot
get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating
properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Where can I get more information about H1N1
flu?
For the most up-to-date and accurate information
about swine flu (2009 H1N1 influenza), go to
www.cdc.gov or
www.kdheks.gov or http://www.swinefluks.org/
In Spanish -
http://cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/
or Seis
Cosas que Cada Persona en Kansas Debe Saber de la Influenza Porcina (en
Español)
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