H1N1 in Oregon

Worried about the flu?

Does someone you know have it? Are you one of those people who are still waiting to get the vaccine? Or, or you someone who just isn't concerned about it?

Regardless of who you are, it is a very real and present threat, and not one to be taken lightly. Hospitals across Oregon are filling up with H1N1 sufferers, and as most people know by now it is particularly dangerous for children or those with underlying health problems.

If you are pregnant, or if you provide care for an infant under 6 months of age, have underlying chronic health problems (like asthma), or if you are a public safety worker or health care provider, you will be among the top candidates for the vaccine as it arrives and is distributed. If you haven't yet received the vaccine, you can visit http://www.flu.oregon.gov for the most recent information about vaccine clinics and availability.

Or, you can also call The Public Health Hotline 1-800-978-3040.

Also for information about the seasonal flu,you can visit http://www.flu.gov. One thing I really like about this website is that they have an interactive self-assessment tool to help those who think they may have H1N1 to evaluate their symptoms and check the likelihood of their illness being H1N1 or "something else." And, there is a ton of other valuable information.

What's even better, is that if you are one of those kinds of people like me, who may not remember to check out the website, you can simply click on the link below to go there now and sign up for email updates to have the very latest about H1N1 sent right to your inbox. Now that's easy!

* www.oregon.gov/DHS/govdelivery.shtml

When you get there, choose Subscribe, then H1N1 Influenza Information.Besides all the great information about H1N1 and the seasonal flu and how to get the vaccines, there are also links to the CDC's (Centers for Disease Control) flu page, the WHO (World Health Organization) flu page, and a special section on the Flu in History dating as far back as the U.S. flu epidemic in 1918!

Meanwhile, take care of yourself, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and if you feel sick and suspect you may already have the flu, get as much rest as possible, and stay home in order to avoid passing it on to others!