H1N1 influenza is currently circulating in Oregon. Officials say H1N1 continues to present similarly to seasonal flu in terms of severity. Certain groups including pregnant women and people with underlying conditions are at an increased risk of complications from H1N1 influenza.

 

Public health officials urge those groups to take extra caution. People who develop a high fever with a cough, sore throat, or muscle aches, or parents of young children with these symptoms should strongly consider calling their healthcare provider.

 

By taking three simple steps -- washing hands frequently, covering one's cough and staying home from work when sick -- Oregonians can help prevent spread of infection to others, while also protecting themselves.

 

H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a variety of flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Spread of H1N1 influenza is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal influenza spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing and sneezing.

 

The Center for Disease Control recommends taking these everyday steps to protect your health:

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. The CDC recommends that you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- for 15 to 20 seconds.

Oregon is in the process of receiving the H1N1 vaccine and public health officials expect there will be enough vaccine in Oregon so that widespread vaccination can begin around the middle of October at local flu clinics, with a particular focus on key priority groups.

 

 The priority list is:

• Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years old;

• Pregnant women;

• People caring for or living with infants under 6 months of age;

• People aged 25 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk

for influenza-related complications;

• Health care workers;

• Frontline law enforcement and public safety workers.

 

It is expected that the first shipment to Oregon will be distributed directly to Oregon counties on a per capita basis. The first vaccine doses will arrive mostly in nasal spray form, although over the course of the season both the nasal spray and injectable vaccine should be available.

 

Most people should be able to get vaccinated by their health care provider, although other options will be available across the state as well. State and local public health officials will spread the word about the availability of H1N1 flu shot clinics once vaccine begins arriving in substantial quantities.

 

Information on vaccine availability will be posted on the state public health Web site at

www.flu.oregon.gov and will also be available from the state hotline at 1-800-978-

3040.

 

The nasal spray vaccine is as effective as a shot for healthy people between ages 2 and 49. However, health officials recommend that some groups wait for the injectable vaccine, including: pregnant women, children younger than 2, and people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases. Injectable vaccine is expected to begin arriving in substantial quantities later in October.

 

Regular seasonal flu shots, which do not protect against H1N1, also are recommended, and are currently available. Information on where to get one is available on the Public Health Flu Web site at www.flu.oregon.gov or from the state hotline at 1-800-978-3040.

 

Since September 1, 2009, there have been 16 hospitalizations in Oregon from the

flu: six were confirmed H1N1 and the rest influenza A. One death was reported in

September.

 

Public health experts continue to advise the public to take basic precautions to help slow the spread of all influenza:

• Wash your hands;

• Cover your cough;

• Stay home if you are sick.

 

For more information on where to get the vaccine when it becomes available, please visit the Oregon Department of Human Services Web site or call the Oregon Public Health Flu hotline: 1-800-978-3040.