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Flu Information

CDC website:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
MD state department of health and human hygene:  http://dhmh.maryland.gov/swineflu/
Howard County health dept info: http://www.co.ho.md.us/Health/HealthMain/Health_HomePage.htm

Influenza, also called the flu, is a common respiratory infection that usually occurs in the late fall and winter.  Symptoms can include fever, headaches, muscle aches, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and extreme fatigue.  Every year, millions of people in the U.S. get sick from the flu and as many as 36,000 die.  The people at highest risk for getting seriously ill from the flu include older individuals (those 50 years of age and older), young children, pregnant women, and those with conditions such asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.  The flu can lead to pneumonia or worsen other medical conditions like emphysema.

Many of the flu cases this winter are expected to be from a new flu strain called H1N1 (previously called swine flu). Very few people have immunity to H1N1, so public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are predicting that it may cause many more flu cases than usual and lead to more serious illness among those who catch it.

The best way to protect yourself from the flu (whether it’s the regular kind or H1N1) is to get vaccinated. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are most likely to get into trouble if they catch the flu.  There will be two kinds of flu vaccines this year: one for regular flu, and the other for H1N1.  Each vaccine only protects against one kind of flu, so full protection requires both vaccines.  The regular flu vaccine is given as a shot for those people who are most likely to have problems from the flu; the vaccine can be given to healthier individuals as a nasal spray.  The H1N1 vaccine will be given as a shot.  Because supplies may be limited, health experts are recommending that the H1N1 vaccine be given first to people are at the highest risk of having problems if they contract influenza.