#1 Take time to get vaccinated.

■ CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu.

■ The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal influenza viruses that research suggests will be most common during the flu season. (Note: the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against 2009 H1N1 flu).

■ People should get vaccinated for seasonal flu as soon as the vaccine is available from their health care provider.

■ Annual flu vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, neurologic conditions and older adults. 

■ Seasonal flu vaccine also is important for health care workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people to prevent giving the flu to those at high risk.

■ A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against 2009 H1N1 flu.

■ A new vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu is being produced and will be available in the coming months as our best option for prevention of 2009 H1N1 infection.

■ People at greatest risk for 2009 H1N1 infection or serious complications and recommended to receive the first available doses of vaccine include children, young adults age 19-24, pregnant women, and people age 25-64 with chronic health conditions. 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is important for close contacts of infants less than 6 months of age and healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.

#2 Take everyday preventive actions.

■ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

■ Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

■ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

■ Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

■ If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

■ While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

#3 Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

■ Some people who get seasonal or 2009 H1N1 flu will be recommended by their doctor to be treated with antiviral drugs.

■ Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.

■ Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

■ Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You must get them from your health care provider.

■ Antiviral are different from antibiotics.

■ Antiviral drugs are recommended especially for people who are very sick (hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu-like symptoms and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young children, people 65 and older, and people with chronic health conditions.

■ For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within the first 2 days of symptoms.

Links

New York Times Article - "Nothing to Fear but the Flu Itself "

2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You - Questions & Answers

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine - Questions & Answers

New Jersey Department of Health – Flu Home page

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey To Cover H1NI Vaccine Administration Costs for Members