H1N1
Influenza Update
As of Monday, January 4th, there have now been several
H1N1 flu shot clinics held throughout Cook and Lake Counties, including two
clinics at Barrington High School. The H1N1 vaccination is now available
through many private providers, from family doctors to local pharmacies,
including area Walgreens stores. Vaccinations
are no longer being limited to the higher-risk target groups previously
established.
Though currently less prevalent than in previous weeks, the H1N1
influenza is still active in Illinois and the rest of the country. The vast majority of influenza infections
that are tested continue to be H1N1.
Most experts agree that the most likely scenario is for there to be a
resurgence—a “second round”-- of the H1N1 influenza.
The Village joins the Centers for Disease Control and local health
authorities in urging you to continue to treat the H1N1 influenza
seriously. If you have not already been
vaccinated for H1N1 influenza, we encourage you to do so at your first
opportunity. We further encourage you to
get vaccinated for the “regular” flu, if you have not done so already.
Remember the “Three C” rule: Clean, Cover and Contain. “Clean” includes washing your
hands frequently and using hand sanitizer. “Cover”
includes proper coughing and sneezing techniques, such as using a tissue or
sleeve to cover your mouth, rather than your hand. “Contain” includes staying home when you are ill, to reduce the
spread of disease. These are only the basics of the “3 C” rules; you can find
details at the CDC website listed below. Look at the section titled “What You
Can Do to Stay Healthy”.
Develop a Family Care Plan. A Family Care Plan will include being stocked
up on necessary medications and supplies, and having contingency arrangements
for child/elderly care needs that could arise. Planning tips can be found at
www.flu.gov, under “For Individuals and Families” (on the left side of the
page) in the section titled “Parents and Expecting”.
It remains a fact of life that the H1N1 Influenza situation will
be changing over time. It is important for citizens to stay up-to-date on the
latest recommendations from the CDC and the federal government. The websites listed
below are excellent sources for the latest, most accurate H1N1 Influenza
information.
References:
CDC website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
US Government’s flu website: www.flu.gov
Cook County Department of Public Health: www.cookcountypublichealth.org/swine_flu
Lake County Department of Public Health: www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/H1N1.htm
Ready Illinois website: www.ready.illinois.gov
