Pitt County Health Department
201 Government Circle
Greenville, NC 27834
4/28/09 2009 H1N1 Influenza Information Update The Pitt County Health Department continues to work closely with private health care providers, Pitt County Memorial Hospital, East Carolina University, Pitt County Emergency Management, Pitt County Schools, the North Carolina Division of Public Health, the business community, and others to manage the threat of 2009 H1N1 cases in our community. Thus far, most of the people who have developed this infection have experienced a mild case of the flu. However for those persons who are at highest risk for complications from the flu, this virus can result in more serious illness, including hospitalization and even death.
The 2009 H1N1 flu is widespread in the United States, including in North Carolina and Pitt County. Generally speaking testing for the virus is not indicated unless a person is hospitalized with a flu-like illness. Currently, people within the community who have flu-like symptoms that cannot be attributed to another diagnosis are assumed to have H1N1 flu because it is the most common strain of flu in our community. For most people the illness can be managed with home care, often not even requiring a visit to the doctor or prescription medication. Individuals with mild symptoms are encouraged to:
Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.)
Limit contact with others. This is a very effective way of reducing the possibility of transmitting this virus to others.
Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue and discard the tissue.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands. Germs spread this way.
Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
Contact your phyiscian if symptoms worsen.
Persons with more severe symptoms or persons at highest risk for complications from the flu should contact their health care provider about the appropriate course of action. In addition to instructing sick people to stay home, the provider may choose to prescribe anti-viral medication. More information on the high risk groups is available on the CDC website. (See link below.)
As we learn more about the possibility of a vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 flu, we will share this information with you. While experts do not think that the seasonal flu vaccine will protect you from the 2009 H1N1 flu, we still suggest that you get your traditional annual flu vaccine this fall when the vaccine becomes available so that you will be protected from the seasonal flu strains that are expected to be circulating this fall and winter.
You and your family are important public health partners. Containing the spread of this infection requires all of us working together - government, health care, schools, employers, the faith community and individual families. We encourage you to become informed about what you and your family can do to help prevent the spread of flu.
Prevention tips are as follows:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, runny nose, and sore throat. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue). Throw used tissues in a trash can.
After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
Stay at home when you are sick. Do not go to work, school, or travel while sick. Keep sick children at home.
Because new information is being communicated frequently, we also encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the latest information. For more information on H1N1 Flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm or http://www.flu.nc.gov .
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