Flu Updates

December 28, 2011

Recommendations

The first case of influenza in Maine was reported on December 27, 2011. This year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is recommending that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine and ample supplies of influenza vaccine are now available. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response. Get vaccinated now so that you will be protected when flu season begins.

Where can I get a flu shot?

The Maine CDC suggests people find vaccine through three possible avenues: call your health care provider; call 211; or check http://www.maineflu.gov for a list of public clinics.

A few area pharmacies are offering flu vaccination. If interested please call them directly for availability, time and location.

Everyday Prevention Tips

• Stay home if you are sick, until you are fever-free for a full 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine.

• Cough and sneeze into your elbow, or into a tissue. Throw this tissue away.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, but especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand gels can also be used.

• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs can be spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Avoid contact with sick people. If you are at very high risk for complication, you may want to avoid large crowds.

• Contact your health care provider if there are flu-like symptoms in a household where anyone is younger than 2 years old, 65 years or older, pregnant, and/or has an underlying medical condition. There are prescription medicines (antivirals such as Tamiflu®) that may help.

• Although most people can stay home without seeing a health care provider, anyone with the flu should seek medical attention for:

o Dehydration; Trouble breathing; Getting better, then suddenly getting a lot worse; Any major change in one’s condition