H1N1 is a novel (new) virus not seen before.  Pictured at left highly magnified, H1N1 has infected thousands of people in our country. H1N1 is thought to spread like seasonal flu mainly through coughs and sneezes or persons touching something with flu virus on it, then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.  

     H1N1 symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, and include fever, cough, sore throat, a stuffy or runny nose, body aches, headache and fatigue.  Some people report vomiting and diarrhea. If you think you have H1N1 flu, stay at home.  Do not travel.  Avoid close contact with others until you have been symptom-free, and without a fever for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medications. 

     To protect yourself and others:

· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow. 

· Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

· Avoid contact with ill persons

· Create an emergency preparedness kit for your home so you can stay home comfortably for a week without traveling.

    Common misunderstandings about H1N1 include: 

· You cannot get H1N1 from eating or preparing pork

· You cannot get H1N1 from properly treated drinking water

· H1N1 is not seasonal flu, so the seasonal “flu shot” does not protect you against this new virus. However, getting the seasonal flu shot is good protection against becoming ill with seasonal flu.

     Your health department tracks all suspected and confirmed cases of any infectious illness, including H1N1, to protect the health of our county.  In addition, health department professionals provide education and medical care if the client has no physician, and alerts to physicians and community members and leaders like yourselves. 

     For more information about H1N1, go to the www.cdc.gov website, or call the Ohio Department of Health information line — 1– 866-800-1404 Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.  This phone line is staffed with operators who also speak Spanish.  For local information, please call your Fairfield Department of Health 652-2800, and ask for the communicable disease nurse.  For national and international information about H1N1, go to :  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/