H1N1 (Swine) Flu Update - February 8, 2010

Questions? Contact Us.

Since October 2009, the Department of Health has administered more than 24,000 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine.

Annapolis
Parole Health Center, 1950 Drew Street, Annapolis, MD (See Directions)
Mon, February 15,8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Wed., February 10, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Glen Burnie
Glen Burnie Health Center, 416 A Street, S.W., Glen Burnie, MD. (See Directions)
Fri., February 12, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Odenton
Odenton Health Center, 1370 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD (See Directions)
Tues, February 9, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (MORNING CLINIC CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS)

Please check this Web site for clinic cancellations due to weather.

• BE PREPARED: TIPS FOR WALK-IN CLINICS

As the Department of Health receives more H1N1 flu vaccine, more clinics for the general public will be scheduled at additional locations.

Information about the H1N1 flu and the vaccine is updated regularly on this Web page and on the Flu Information Line, 410-222-7343. Also, get mobile phone and text message clinic alerts through www.twitter.com/aahealth.

Some private providers and pharmacies have the H1N1 flu vaccine. See Find a Flu Shot.

People who are pregnant, over 49 or younger than 2 years old, and people with chronic health disorders or with compromised immune systems can only get the injectable flu vaccine.

Children who are currently 9 years old and younger should receive a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine. The CDC recommends that the doses be separated by 28 or more days, however a second dose given at a minimum of 21 days after the first dose is considered valid.

• H1N1 Flu Vaccine: What You Should Know

H1N1 Nasal Spray Vaccine

CDC Weekly U.S. Flu Updates

H1N1 Flu in Maryland: The H1N1 flu virus is considered to be in local areas of Maryland. The spread of the illness is happening in most parts of the community, including school settings, family gatherings, sports events, shopping centers and any other location where people come together. Estimating the number of individual H1N1 flu cases is very challenging because many people with flu recover without needing medical care and only a small number of those who do seek care are tested. Also, when a recovering person is tested for H1N1 influenza, the virus may no longer be present, or the virus may be present in low numbers which are undetectable by the test. Under-reporting of individual hospitalizations and deaths of flu-related causes can occur as well. For this reason, the CDC monitors influenza activity levels and trends and virus characteristics through a nationwide surveillance system and uses statistical modeling to estimate the burden of flu illness (including hospitalizations and deaths) in the United States. On January 15, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported Maryland's 43rd death associated with the H1N1 flu. See Maryland Flu Watch. To help decrease the spread of disease, see Tips to Prevent the Flu.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever over 100 degrees F, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people infected with the H1N1 virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. People at higher risk of serious complications from the H1N1 flu virus are children younger than 5 years old, people age 65 years or older, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV). For signs of H1N1 flu that need urgent medical attention, see Emergency Warning Signs. View CDC Video for Symptoms and Warning Signs.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Hand Washing For Flu Prevention
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash immediately after you use it. You can also cough or sneeze into your sleeve, but never into your hands. View Cover Your Cough [Requires Real Player] and Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves? [Requires Windows Media Player] .
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Except to seek medical care, stay home if you get sick for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without use of fever-reducing medication). Stay at Home Toolkit for Influenza
• Be prepared if there is illness in the family, at work or at school. Have a plan in case of a disease outbreak. Plan for Individuals and Families and Workplace Plan

For H1N1 flu information, see:

• Department of Health Plan
• H1N1 Influenza Presentation, February 2010
• H1N1 Flu Vaccine: What You Should Know
• H1N1 - Swine Flu (CDC)
• Frequently Asked Questions About Food, Water, Contamination, Cleaning and More
• Resources for Pregnant Women
• Resources for Parents and Caregivers
• Resources for Schools and Childcare Facilities
• Resources for Colleges and Universities
• Resources for Travelers
• Resource for Community and Faith-Based Organizations
• Maryland Swine Flu Checklist (DHMH)
• Maryland Flu Watch

Questions?
Contact Us or call the Flu Information Line, 410-222-7343. The Web site and phone line do not provide personal medical advice or diagnoses. For medical consultation, contact your health care provider.

Seasonal Flu Information