Patient Information: 2009 Influenza H1N1

** Please view MPA's statement in regards to the Pharmacist Role in H1N1 Treatment and Patient Care, in regards to liquid Tamiflu access.

Your pharmacist is ready and available to answer your questions about H1N1. Pharmacists have been on the front lines for years preparing at the local, state, national and international levels for situations just like this so that they can provide you the highest level of care. Please use the following resources to understand more about the H1N1 virus and what you can do to prevent its spread. If you have questions about this information, please ask your pharmacist.

Additionally, you can call the Michigan 2-1-1 public information line regarding this outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Michigan 2-1-1, sponsored by the Michigan Association of United Ways, is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

People recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive the vaccine as soon possible include: health care workers; pregnant women; people ages 25 through 64 with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes; anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age; and people living with or caring for infants under 6 months old.

FLU.gov is a one-stop resource with the latest updates on the H1N1 flu.  On this site, you can find information on How to Prevent and Treat the Flu, Flu Essentials and Why the H1N1 Vaccine is Safe and Recommended by Health Experts.  To look up where to get vaccinated in your state, visit the Vaccine Locator. This information is updated regularly as more doses are shipped each week. 

An additional resource is the CDC hotline, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), which offers services in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Heard a rumor?  Visit Myths & Facts to run a fact check.

Q&A with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
This link includes information on how H1N1 spreads and how to protect yourself.

How to Stay Healthy
There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important that people take these protective stepss. 

Transmission and Prevention of Influenza
How influenza spreads and ways to prevent influenza when a vaccine is unavailable.

Information for concerned parents and caregivers (CDC)  
Identifying symptoms, prevention and what to do if your child is sick

Taking care of a sick person in your home (CDC)
Medication information, when to seek emergency care and steps that you can take to lessen the spread of flu in your home

Community Posters

• Cover Your Cough
  Stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick
• Clean hands save lives!  
  When and how to wash your hands
• Stop The Spread Of Germs At Work
  For posting in the workplace to help stop spread of germs

Resource Websites:

• Michigan Department of Community Health: www.michigan.gov/swineflu
• World Health Organization: www.who.int/csr/don/en/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
• Pandemic Flu: www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html