Free H1N1 vaccinations are offered
Denton County Health Department has relaxed the H1N1 vaccination requirement.
The "key risk groups" for H1N1 influenza, set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), officially expands to include members of the general public.
Denton County will continue to allocate and outreach to those in the key risk groups to ensure that all who need the vaccine are able to receive it, but will also invite members of the general public to be vaccinated.
Denton County H1N1 influenza clinics will be open to the public and will provide the vaccinations free of charge. The dates and times for the next clinics are as follows:
- Thursday, December 17, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the University of North Texas Gateway Center. The UNT Gateway Center is located at 801 North Texas Blvd. in Denton.
- Thursday, December 17, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lewisville Recreation Center. The Lewisville Recreation Center is located at 191 Civic Circle in Lewisville.
The key risk populations include those who are at higher risk of disease or complications, those who are likely to come in contact with H1N1 flu, and those who could infect young infants. The key risk populations include:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- Health care and emergency medical services personnel
- People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age
- People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for H1N1 flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
For the timeliest information on 2009 H1N1 flu, please call the Denton County Flu Hotline at (940) 349-4FLU (4358) or visit our web site.
What you should know about the flu
Health officials predict increased flu cases this fall, including of H1N1 (swine) flu, so an upswing in the number of flu cases is also anticipated within the UNT community.
Right now there is no indication that the effects of any flu strain, including H1N1, will be unusually severe, but we will keep you informed if this changes. It’s important that you know what to do if you think you may have the flu and steps you can take to help avoid getting the flu.
What to do if you think you have the flu
Seek medical attention and stay home if you think you may have the flu.
The UNT Health and Wellness Center health care professionals can talk with students and treat those who show symptoms of the flu. Faculty and staff should visit their regular health care provider.
Learn more about specific things you should do if you get the flu.
Flu symptoms
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults
Steps to keep from spreading flu
The most effective thing you can do to keep from getting the flu is to get vaccinated.
While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common. A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against H1N1 but a new vaccine against H1N1 is available as an H1N1 prevention.
Things you should do every day:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough then throw the tissue in the trash right away. If tissue isn’t handy, cover your mouth and nose with the crook of your arm.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to help keep from spreading germs.
- Avoid close contact with sick people whenever possible.
If you come down with a flu-like illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from other people as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
