Flu information  Tags: seasonal_flu health colds h1n1 swine_flu  

IWU's Arnold Health Service has loads of information about identifying flu symptoms, both the regular flu and H1N1, and tips on how to tell if you have the flu or just a cold.

Here are some links to other area healthcare providers:

    BroMenn Healthcare in Bloomington
    Carle Clinic in Champaign
    OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria

And if you need more information, McLean County's Health Department lists this flu hotline for non-medical questions: 866-848-2094.

There are a lot of different types of flu. Overall, one of the best things you can do to stay healthy is to take care of yourself! Here's a pdf for how you can protect yourself, and remember these tips:

Monitor the news and heed the advice provided by federal, state and local health officials and their health care provider. There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. 

   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, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. 
   Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. 
   Try to avoid close contact with sick people. 
   Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. 
   If you get sick, you should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to regular human flu and include: 
   Fever 
   Cough 
   Sore throat 
   Body aches 
   Headache 
   Chills 
   Fatigue

Some people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu.

For people who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to areas where H1N1 flu has been confirmed, they should seek medical attention. However, if a person has flu-like symptoms but has not traveled to areas where H1N1 flu has been confirmed, they should stay home and contact a doctor to see if they should go in for testing.

Source: Illinois Department of Health

The Facts about Vaccination

The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate injections. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, while the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is in development for the fall of 2009.

•The seasonal flu is still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

•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 is intended to be used along-side one another.