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SWINE FLU - What you can do to protect your community

April 28 - If cases are identified in Oregon, the Public Health Division will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on community mitigation, including advice on avoiding crowded areas, staying home if you are sick or have been in contact with a sick person, and, in appropriate scenarios, canceling K-12 and university classes. In the event that cases are confirmed in particular settings, any large gatherings associated with those confirmed cases may need to be cancelled. This might include a school or church function or other scheduled event. Other preventive measures will be taken if necessary, including childcare facility closures.

As of this time, no specific social distancing measures (e.g., canceling social events) are being recommended. However, as a precaution, people with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for complications due to influenza may want to avoid large gatherings at this time.

For more information visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu

The information below is for SEASONAL INFLUENZA

On this page

• Seasonal Influenza Disease and Prevention
  
• Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and Distribution
  
• Myths about Seasonal Flu Vaccine 
  
• Find a Seasonal Flu Clinic 

Seasonal Influenza

Each year, 5-20% of the worldwide population will become ill with influenza. In the United States, influenza and its complications cause an average of 36,000 deaths and 226,000 hospitalizations, as well as countless hours of missed work and medical expenses. Influenza often leads to secondary infections such as pneumococcal pneumonia. Children, newborn through 5 years, are at an especially high risk of complications, as are people over 65 years and those of any age with reduced immune systems.

See this link for more info on Influenza Disease and its prevention

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

• Any person wishing to prevent the spread of influenza
• Children 6 months to the 19th birthday (the highest risk for flu complications are children under 5 years old)
• All adults age 50 and older
• Women who are pregnant during the flu season
• Persons with chronic diseases or in contact with persons with chronic diseases
  • Heart and lung diseases, including persons with asthma
  • Persons receiving long-term asprin therapy
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney and liver diseases
  • Persons with cancer or undergoing treatments
  • Any disease or condition which reduces immune system
• Persons living in a chronic care or other long-term care facility
• All persons working in a health care facility
• Contacts with infants or the elderly
• New parents (babies under 6 months are at an especially high risk because they are too young for influenza vaccine… getting adults around the newborn vaccinated is the best way to prevent influenza from spreading in the household)
• Children under 9 who are getting the influenza vaccine for the first time should get a second dose 4 weeks after the first dose is given.

Myths about Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Influenza disease and influenza vaccination are complicated topics. There are a great deal of misunderstandings, myths, and misconceptions regarding influenza vaccines in the popular media. Here are are some of the typical untrue beliefs about influenza to help you guide your way using science-based information. Click here for more information on the vaccine/autism controversy.

Find a flu clinic

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