Your Flu Season Plan of Action

Flu season is here.  This year, in addition to Seasonal Flu, the 2009 H1N1 Flu (also known as the H1N1 Flu and the Swine Flu) is also expected to impact our community.  This flu season, each and every one of us will play an important role in how Seasonal Flu and the 2009 H1N1 Flu affect our community. We recommend that you and your family plan now for the flu season.  We strongly encourage you to include the following actions in your plan.

Vaccinations

The best way to protect you and your family against any flu is with a vaccination. You and your family members should get vaccinated as soon as possible. 

The following vaccinations are expected to be available this fall.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine (this is also called the flu shot)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everybody between 6 months of age and older get the flu shot. The flu shot is available from your healthcare provider or from one of the many flu shot clinics throughout Colorado.  If you are a Colorado Access member, please see your Primary Care Provider (PCP) for the flu shot, or call Colorado Access Customer Service for help finding a covered location. 

2009 H1N1 Vaccine

It is expected that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available this winter.  The CDC recommends that the following individuals receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine:

• Pregnant Women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
• People between the ages of 25 and 64 years who are at higher risk due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

Prevention Methods

In addition to vaccines, there are several prevention methods you and your family can practice in order to prevent getting or spreading Seasonal Flu and the 2009 H1N1 Flu.

Good hand washing is the best way to protect you from both types of flu, and is also a proven prevention method against other illnesses. Make it a family habit to wash your hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Do this throughout the day, especially before eating or drinking, after using the bathroom, or after coughing or sneezing. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

If you do get sick, it is very important that you stay home, so that you do not get anyone else sick. Anyone with flu-like symptoms, including a fever of 100°F, should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they have been without a fever for at least 24 hours.

When caring for a sick family member at home, try to keep them in a room to themselves. If possible, have only one person provide care. That person should try to avoid being directly face-to-face with the sick person, and they should wash their hands frequently with soap and water. Encourage the sick person to wash their hands frequently, cover their cough or sneeze, and avoid sharing personal items.

Here are other prevention methods:

• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick with flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, or fever.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze with a disposable tissue or use your sleeve if necessary.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Do not share food, drinks, or utensils. 

Additional Information

The following is a list of web links to information about the Seasonal Flu and the 2009 H1N1 Flu. If you have any questions about Seasonal Flu or the 2009 H1N1 Flu, contact your healthcare provider or PCP.

Information about the Seasonal Flu vaccine: http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm

Information about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2009 H1N1 Flu resource page: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

http://www.flu.gov/

Colorado Department of Health: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/h1n1.html