If you are currently sick and do not have underlying medical conditions you most likely should be able to stay home and treat your flu symptoms.  Acetaminophen such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen such as Advil can be used to treat fever and body aches.  You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone with out having to take medicine.  Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated by drinking water, broth, and sports drinks (use electrolyte beverages for infants).  Cover your coughs and sneezes and clean your hands often.

However, please monitor your health and seek immediate medical care for the following warning signs.

  Warning signs for Children: 

• Fast breathing or difficulty breathing, Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids, Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting, irritable and not wanting to be held
• Flu –like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

Warning signs for Adults:

• 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

Also contact your provider if you are sick with the flu and have someone living in your home that is high risk for flu complications.  This would be someone with chronic health conditions, under age 2, over age 65, or some who is pregnant.  Antivirals may be recommended for them.

H1N1 vaccine has become available for our local school age children and clinics are being held this week.  Others considered high priority are anyone 6 months to 25 years of age.  Care givers and household contacts of infants younger than 6 months, anyone 25-65 with underlying medical conditions, such as chronic lung conditions (including asthma), heart, kidney, liver conditions or diabetes, and health care workers.  As more vaccine becomes available it will be distributed to our local provider offices for persons in the priority groups who have not yet received it elsewhere.  Eventually there should be enough vaccine for anyone who wants it.

 Please stay informed, this message was last updated November 17^th at 7pm.  

Maine CDC: General Public Call-in Number 1-888-257-0990, NextTalk (deaf/hard of hearing) (207)629-5751 Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm