Stay Healthy This Flu Season

This flu season, your health can affect not only yourself, but also your family, friends, and community.  Along with the typically expected seasonal flu, we also are seeing additional cases of pandemic H1N1 flu.  It’s important to be informed and take the following steps to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe…

  • Wash your hands
  • Cover your cough
  • Stay home when you’re sick
  • Avoid close contact with sick people
  • Get vaccinated

Pregnant Women – Pregnant women are at a greater risk for more severe illness and complications from pandemic H1N1 flu.  That is why it is especially important for pregnant women to take the necessary steps to protect themselves from both seasonal flu and pandemic H1N1 flu. 

CDC’s H1N1 Resources for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy & The Flu – 8.5×11 handout

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Pregnant Women: Questions and Answers
Why does CDC recommend that pregnant women receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine? Is there a particular kind of flu vaccine that pregnant women should get? Are there flu vaccines that pregnant women should not get? Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu? And more.

Parents & Caregivers – Babies younger than 6 months cannot get a flu shot, so it’s important for those around them to take all of the necessary steps to avoid giving the flu virus to the baby. 

CDC’s H1N1 Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Influenza: Information for Students & Parents – 8.5×11 handout

Everyone – Everyone should stay informed and know how to stay healthy and protect themselves against the flu virus.  Washing your hands often, covering your cough, getting your flu shots, and avoiding close contact with sick people are simple things you can do to protect yourself. 

CDC’s H1N1 General Information

Influenza: Prevent Getting & Spreading The Flu – 8.5×11 handout

Local Flu Information

Stay informed and find upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinics by calling 2-1-1 (614-221-2255) or by visiting www.columbuspandemiflu.org.  You can also follow Columbus Flu Info on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute information. 

Article provided by:

Jayne Moreau, MPH, CHES
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave., Columbus OH 43215
phone (614) 645-7213 / fax 645-5888
www.publichealth.columbus.gov

For information about H1N1 flu or flu vaccine, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.ColumbusPandemicFlu.org.