Seasonal Flu and H1N1 - What You Need to Know

Every year in the United States, hundreds of thousands of people get influenza, or the flu, with many being hospitalized and some even dying from causes related to the flu.  This year is more unpredictable than ever before because of the growing concern over the H1N1 flu virus, formerly known as “swine flu.”   

The symptoms of seasonal flu are as follows:

• Fever                                                            
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache

 The symptoms of H1N1 are very similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu but could also include vomiting and diarrhea.  You should seek medical care if any of the previously listed symptoms are accompanied by the following for seasonal flu or H1N1:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• In babies, bluish or gray skin color, lack or responsiveness, or extreme irritation

The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year.  This year, there will be two separate flu vaccines; one for the seasonal flu and one for H1N1.  The seasonal flu vaccine is available now, and anyone who is older than 6 months can receive it.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that it is especially important for the following groups to receive the seasonal flu vaccination:

• Children ages 6 months through 18 years
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
• Health care workers
• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
• Household contacts & out of home caregivers of children younger than 6 months

The CDC is also recommending that the following groups receive the H1N1 flu vaccine:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical services workers
• Young people between 6 months and 24 years of age
• Individuals ages 25-64 with underlying risk conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, asthma, heart disease, kidney or liver disorders, neurologic disorders, or a weakened immune system

             

Practicing good health habits like washing your hands often and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze can help stop the spread of the flu.  If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.  Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth, as this encourages the spread of germs.  It is also important to remember to stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others who may be sick.  

 

Health Education

The purpose of health education is to positively influence the health behavior of individuals as well as the living and working conditions that influence their health.

The Health Education division of Franklin County Health Department offers a variety of programs and services. Read on!

 

What? The N.C. Statewide Health Promotion Program, led by the Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch of the N.C. Division of Public Health, supports community-based programs that improve the health of North Carolinians by reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases. Funds are distributed to health promotion programs in local health departments throughout the state to work with community partners in creating policy changes and environmental supports addressing at least one of the three major chronic disease risk factors - physical inactivity, poor diet and tobacco use.

Why? Poor diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use are behaviors contributing to the leading preventable causes of death in North Carolina and are known risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Efforts to address health behavior change in individuals or populations must include environmental changes to address these behaviors

Where? The North Carolina General Assembly created the N.C. Statewide Health Promotion Program in 1987. Recognized as the first in the nation, the program sustains ongoing, comprehensive health promotion efforts right here in Franklin County!

Local Examples Franklin County Health Department Health Promotion has partnered with local schools, community and faith based organizations to.

• Construct walking trails in local communities
• Advocate for more nutritious foods selection in schools through programs such as Winner's Circle
• Partner with local faith organizations to adopt healthy eating policies
• And Much, Much More!

For more information... Elizabeth McAllister, MPH Health Educator (919) 496-2533 ext. 2372 emcallister@franklincountync.us		Visit

 

Our Healthy Carolinians Partnership, Frankly Healthy, is a partnership between several organizations and individuals. The mission of Frankly Healthy is to improve health status and prevent premature death and injury for residents of the county regardless of age, race, income or educational level through a collaborative community effort.

Health Priorities In 2003, a Community Health Assessment was completed to determine the health concerns of Franklin County. Based on the results of the Assessment, Frankly Healthy choose two prioroty areas, and divided into working groups in order to work more effectively. The priority areas are Chronic Diseases and Youth Health. The Chronic Diseases group works to develop programs on breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, adult obesity and nutrition. The Youth group works on nutrition, physical activity, and teen pregnancy/unsafe sex.

Partners

• Franklin County Health Department
• Franklin County Schools
• Franklin County Cooperative Extension
• Department of Social Services
• Franklin County Volunteers in Medicine Clinic
• Louisburg Senior Center
• South Main Street Baptist Church

RaY of HoPe Reclaiming Your Health for Purposeful Living

Frankly Healthy has developed Ray of Hope, a Health Promotion Kit for churches. Many studies have documented the important role that churches can play in encouraging their members to live healthier lives.

Ray of Hope is for all church members aged 18 and older who want to learn more about making positive and healthy lifestyle choices. This is an exciting and innovative new program for Franklin County churches!

 

Main Street Diabetes Project
Frankly Healthy received funding from the Project DIRECT Academy to implement a diabetes education program in Louisburg.

The Main Street Diabetes Project (MSDP) will accomplish the following things: raising awareness of the seriousness of diabetes, educating people about the specifics of diabetes, increasing physical activity, and improving overall diet.

Youth Asthma Program

Franklin County Health Department, in conjunction with Community Care Network and various county agencies, have formed a coalition which has developed a comprehensive Youth Asthma Program designed to educate parents and kids about the illness.

The goals of the program are to decrease the amount of hospital discharges with a primary diagnosis of asthma rates among youth in Franklin County, and increase the underserved population's knowledge as to how this disease relates to behavioral and environmental factors. This will be accomplished by providing participants with the necessary educational and self-management resources.

 

• 2009 State of the County Health Report
• 2008 State of the County Health Report
• 2006 State of the County Health Report
• Community Health Assessment Report
• NC Chapter, Society for Public Health Education, Inc.
• NC Association for the Advancement of Health Education – NCAAHE
• Click here to view the 'Frankly Healthy Year in Review' slide show.
• Winner's Circle