Swine Flu

Minnesota Residents can call Toll Free 1-866-259-4655

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

Stay informed. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Take everyday actions 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 hands cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
(from the CDC website)

Know the Difference between a Cold and the H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Symptoms:

Fever
*Fever is rare with a cold.
*Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.

Coughing
*A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
*A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
*Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. *Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose
*Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. *Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills
*Chills are uncommon with a cold.
*60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness
*Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
*Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
*Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
*Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms
*Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
*The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
*A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
*A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Chest Discomfort
*Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. *Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

SO . . . SHOULD I KEEP MY CHILD HOME?

*If you recognized a fever AND one of the other symptoms, keep your child home for at least 24 hours after his or her fever is gone without fever reducing medicine. For many children this will be 5 to 7 days. Your child should feel well enough to participate in school before returning. If you have questions about your child's health or symptoms, call your child's healthcare provider.

*If your child has been diagnosed by a healcare provider with a different disease, such as strep, follow your healthcare provider's recommendation and school policy for when to return to school.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY CHILD'S SCHOOL?

*If you recognized "fever" AND one of the other symptoms, tell your child's attendance office that your child is home with influenza-like symptoms.

*If your child has been diagnosed by a healthcare provider with a different disease, such as strep, tell your child's attendance office.

*No personal information about your child, including your child's name, will be shared outside of the school.

CLICK HERE for more information in Minnesota

Wisconsin Residents can call:
2-1-1 Wisconsin can connect you with information on a variety of subjects, including the flu. 2-1-1 service will provide information on prevention and community resources. Your call to 2-1-1 is free and confidential, and is available throughout Wisconsin. If you call from a cellular phone and encounter problems, dial 877-947-2211

CLICK HERE for more information in Wisconsin