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Facts on the Swine Flu | ||||
H1N1 Virus ("Swine Flu") InformationPosted 10/16/09Dear Concerned Parent, Due to the recent H1N1 activity in the Pittsgrove community schools, the Salem County Health Department has been coordinating with your local school district to protect the health of your community. The Health Department has received the H1N1 vaccine that is recommended for school aged children and school staff. The Pittsgrove Township community already has a case of H1N1 influenza so we feel it is important vaccinate this community first. To dispense this vaccine the Salem County Health Department will be offering a closed clinic for Pittsgrove Township and Elmer school students and staff only. Other children in your household will also be welcome to come but we are only vaccinating children and staff. The clinic will take place Tuesday October 20th from 4- 7 pm at A. P. Schalick High School in the gymnasium. This clinic is voluntary and no one is required to be vaccinated. Consent forms and information about the vaccine are available on your school’s website and will be sent home with your child. The consent form is not required to be filled out beforehand however, it will speed the process at the clinic. These forms will be available at the clinic as well. We would like to remind you, this vaccine is not mandatory but we encourage the community to bring their children to be vaccinated. Children aged 6 months to 24 years are high priority to be vaccinated because there is a high prevalence of illness in this group. Adults in the community who want to be vaccinated can contact your local doctors or wait for a list of local providers that will be dispensing the vaccine. For any further information please go to our website, www.cshealth.org or to www.flu.gov. Thank you for your time, we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday night. Sincerely, Herb Roeschke, Public Health Coordinator Learning the FactsInfluenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by viruses. In the United States, there is a flu season that begins every fall and ends every spring. The type of flu people get during this season is called seasonal flu. Sometimes, a new type of flu virus may emerge to which the general public has no resistance. The lack of immunity enables the virus to spread quickly and easily from person to person impacting communities around the world in a very short time, causing serious illness and death. This kind of flu is called pandemic flu. The exact symptoms of pandemic flu are unknown. However, the CDC notes that symptoms are expected to be similar to those of seasonal flu, which include:
Research suggests that it may take two to seven days to show symptoms when a person catches the flu, and the symptoms may last for up to a week. A person infected with the flu may transmit the flu for one to two days before they have symptoms, and for five to seven days after symptoms begin.
Why the concern over pandemic flu? Pandemic flu is more serious than seasonal flu. Most people who get seasonal flu recover within a week or two and usually do not require medical treatment. Pandemic flu is different because more people who get it might not recover, even with medical treatment, and people of every age may be at risk of serious illness or death. When will this happen? Can I do something now? Scientists cannot accurately predict whether the avian influenza virus (H5N1) will cause the next human pandemic flu or when the next pandemic will occur. The best way to protect yourself and others is to practice healthy hygiene to keep you well now and during a flu pandemic. Practicing these actions now will make them easier to do later. These actions include washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are sick to slow the spread of illness. |