The H1N1 flu virus has been causing illness in the United States since the first case was identified in April, 2009. Public health officials expect that the flu strain will continue to spread and advise people to take precautions to protect themselves and others.
Take precautions to prevent spreading H1N1 flu
Minnesota Department of Health officials state for most people the H1N1 virus is causing mild illness. However, it can be more dangerous for people with underlying health conditions.
Because many more H1N1cases are expected across the state, people are urged to take simple precautions to prevent getting or spreading it:
- Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
- Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution.
- Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with people and before eating or preparing food or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Limit your contact with others who may be ill.
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school and generally avoid going out in public. Remain home for seven days or until 24 hours after you no longer have symptoms - whichever is longer.
- Make sure to take enough fluids while you're sick.
- If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick.
- If you develop flu symptoms, call your health care provider before making an office visit - you may not need to go in. If you must go to the office, it should be at a time when you will not risk exposing others in the waiting room to influenza.
- People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider if they have flu symptoms or have been exposed to people with flu symptoms. Those individuals include people with an underlying medical condition, pregnant women, young children (especially under age two), and people 65 or older.
Hotlines for the general public
Minnesota Department of Health
Metro area: 651-201-5414
TTY: 651-201-3509
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Centers for Disease Control
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
24 hours/every day
H1N1 Information