Please be advised: Seasonal Flu Clinics have been POSTPONED as the supply of the injectable seasonal flu vaccine has run out for clinics. The SHD is currently trying to secure more vaccine. Please contact your physician or call the SHD at 385-4090 to find an alternative clinic. The remaining scheduled seasonal flu clinics are also postponed at this time.

October 15, 2009 Press Release: Clinic Postponed

Click Here for information about H1N1

Click here for information related to our 2009 Flu Clinics Including Consent Forms

The Flu and Respiratory Illnesses

What is the Flu?

Influenza (“flu”) is a serious disease.  It is caused by a virus that spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others.  Anyone can get influenza.  Most people are ill with influenza for only a few days, but some get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized.  It is estimated that each year in the U.S, there are more than 20,000 children less than 5 years old hospitalized due to flu.  Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, mostly among the elderly.  Getting your flu shot can help save your life. 

Symptoms of the Flu:

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus. It attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs).  The flu is different from a cold.  Influenza usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:

Severe (usually high) fever; headache; tiredness (can be extreme); dry cough; sore throat; nasal congestion; and body aches.  Symptoms usually last at least three days, sometimes longer.  Flu symptoms do not typically include vomiting, diarrhea, or muscle cramps. Flu is a respiratory disease, not a gastrointestinal disease.  There is no such thing as "stomach flu."

If you get the Flu, you should remember the following:

If you develop the flu, it is advisable to get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.  Also, you can take medications to relieve the symptoms of flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms-and particularly fever-without first speaking to your doctor).  If your flu symptoms are unusually severe (for example, if you are having trouble breathing), you should consult your health care provider right away.

If you are at risk from complications of the flu, you should consult your health care provider when your flu symptoms begin.  This includes people 65 years or older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, or children.  Your doctor may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to treat the flu.  Stay at home from school or work if you have.

How to protect yourself from influenza:

Cover Your Cough...Stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick!  To download a copy of Cover Your Cough.  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze; then throw the tissue away.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Clean your hands often – with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer. If you have an infant, don't expose him or her unnecessarily to large crowds when influenza is in your community. And avoid close contact (holding, kissing) of the baby with family members who may have influenza (fever, muscle aches, runny nose, cough) or other respiratory tract infections. Do not share anything that goes into the mouth, such as drinking cups and straws.  Clean commonly touched surfaces (doorknobs, refrigerator handle, phone, water faucets) if someone in the house has a cold or flu.  And avoid exposing yourself to others who are sick with a flu-like illness

Parents and Educators

Educators, staff, and parents can help slow the spread of colds and flu by using the materials and links below.  Helpful links and downloadable information for parents and educators

Henry the Hand Champion Handwashing Program

Stop the Spread of Germs: Actions for Schools

Stop the Spread of Germs Official Site

It's a Snap Campaign to Prevent Absenteeism

Information for Businesses and Employers

More resources

CDC Pandemic Influenza http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic

CT Flu Watch www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/

http://www.flucliniclocator.org

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

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