Upper Makefield Township

Know What to Do About the Flu

Like all emergency preparedness measures, taking the proper precautions for Novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) begins at home, and in your neighborhood.

The Bucks County Health Department doesn’t expect H1N1 to be any more severe than seasonal flu. Seasonal flu vaccine is already available in some doctors’ offices and pharmacies in the area. Everyone is encouraged to receive their normal seasonal vaccination. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available late October/early November.

In order to provide a one-stop shop for all developing flu information, the Bucks County Health Department has taken several steps to assist the residents of the county. These include:

• Setting up a recorded hotline for up-to-date messages and information. The number is 1-877-477-4492. If you need a call back, someone from the Bucks County Health Department will do so. Please note: This is not an emergency line.
• Establishing a flu widget on the official county website, www.BucksCounty.org. This large blue rectangle invites you to “Know What to Do About the Flu” through a link to www.flu.gov – the federal clearinghouse for flu information.
• Coordinating the Bucks County Health Department’s efforts with school districts, hospitals, physicians, businesses and government agencies. These efforts will focus on education and rumor monitoring.

Mark Your Calendar

The Bucks County Health Department and Emergency Management Agency will conduct the county’s 4th annual Pandemic Flu Drill on Saturday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4 locations to be announced in the near future. One or more of those locations will be convenient for Upper Makefield residents.

Timetable

The H1N1 vaccine is expected by late October/early November, and the national vaccine distribution strategy is to use physicians’ practices and private sector providers. There is a registry through which doctors’ offices can sign up for vaccine to be shipped directly to them.

The Bucks County Health Department emphasizes that although all citizens should get their seasonal flu vaccine, there are somewhat differing priority groups for the H1N1 flu vaccine.

These include:

• All healthcare workers;
• Pregnant women;
• Caregivers to infants younger than 6 months;
• All individuals 6 months to 24 years of age; and
• All individuals 24 to 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions.

How Do I Stay Well and What Do I Do If I Get Sick?

The Bucks County Health Department stresses several common-sense measures to stay healthy year-round:

• Wash hands frequently (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer);
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes;
• Keep social distance from those who are sick; and
• Get an appropriate amount of sleep.

If you’re sick with fever, head and muscle aches, dry cough, and fatigue, contact your health care provider for advice (you may be advised to stay home and rest), and limit your contact with others at home and work.

For more information, visit www.BucksCounty.org and www.flu.gov.