Flu Season
Rogue Valley Physicians clinics are working to help reduce the impact of flu season on the individuals and families we serve. Please check with your individual healthcare provider for suggested vaccinations and specific health questions. Listed below is a wealth of information and tools to help you stay healthy this flu season.
Note: Information provided by flu.gov, a federal government web site managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
- Flu Basics
- Flu Prevention
- Flu Symptoms
- Tips if you are diagnosed with the flu
- Links and Resources: For Individuals and Families
- Links and Resources: For Businesses
- Oregon Flu Stats – updated weekly by the Oregon Department of Human Services
Flu Basics
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from person-to-person and can cause mild to severe illness; and in some cases, can lead to death. Two strains of flu, seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu, are currently circulating in the United States. Most healthy people recover from the flu without problems, but certain people are at high risk for serious complications.
- In the United States, yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually happen during the fall through early spring.
- The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
- Flu viruses can cause illness in people of any age group. Children are most likely to get sick because their immune systems aren’t strong enough to fight off the infection.
- Some groups are more likely to have complications from the seasonal flu. These include:
- those age 65 and older
- children younger than 2 years old
- people of any age who have chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, lung disease)
- Complications from the flu can include:
- bacterial pneumonia
- ear or sinus infections
- dehydration
- worsening of chronic medical conditions
Flu Prevention
Get vaccinated
Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate vaccinations. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is in development for the fall of 2009.
The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 (Swine) flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and is intended to be used along-side the other. Get both!
Parents (and Expecting)
Vaccinating children is a priority. Children should be given both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines. Pregnant women are a priority group for receiving the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available because they are at increased risk. Find information here about protecting and caring for your unborn, newborn and infant children and for yourself. Learn more.
More information on Vaccinations
Practice good hygiene
Take common-sense steps to limit the spread of germs. Make good hygiene a habit.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
- Put used tissues in a waste basket.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
People with Health Conditions
People with certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and heart or kidney disease may face special medical challenges during flu season. Learn more.
Caregivers
There are steps you can take to avoid catching or spreading the flu while taking care of a sick person in your home. Learn more.
Travelers
There are currently no flu-based travel restrictions, but it is wise to know conditions where you are traveling, how to protect against getting the flu and what to do if you become sick during or after travel. People living abroad need special information also. Learn more.
Flu Symptoms
| SEASONAL FLU | H1N1 (SWINE) FLU |
• Fever • Coughing and/or sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Headaches and/or body aches • Chills • Fatigue |
• Fever • Coughing and/or sore throat • Runny or stuffy nose • Headaches and/or body aches • Chills • Fatigue In addition to the above symptoms, a number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases reported: • Vomiting • Diarrhea |
Tips if you are Diagnosed with the Flu
- Stay home, follow your doctor’s orders, and watch for signs that you need immediate medical attention. Remain at home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free (no fever) for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
- Avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu, such as people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, young children, and infants.
- Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages made for infants to prevent becoming dehydrated.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into your hands.
- Talk to your doctor about the prescription antivirals, Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) and Zanamivir (RELENZA®). Learn more about medications and antivirals.
Links and Resources: For Individuals and Families
Links and Resources: For Businesses
Pandemic planning requires that people and entities not accustomed to responding to health crises understand the actions and priorities required to prepare for and respond to these potential risks. The guidance, checklists and resources on these pages are intended to help every sector of society participate in our national planning efforts.
Download a helpful Flu prevention brochure for your employees created by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
PDFs: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF forms. If you do not have this program, you may download it for free here.
Download helpful posters and signs for your business.
Guidance, checklists and resources for:
It is critical for schools, daycare centers, and colleges to plan to prevent disease transmission and protect students, staff, and the local community.
Community strategies for organizations such as churches and homeless shelters will be essential to reduce the impact of a pandemic.
Businesses and other employers play a key role in protecting the health and safety of their employees and local community
Hospitals, healthcare providers, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will all play a crucial role in a pandemic flu outbreak.
Easy access to all checklists
Resources to help hospital administrators and state and local health officials plan and respond to a flu pandemic.
