Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Hartford County

The reports of Swine Flu in Connecticut (official name, H1N1) are alarming, but as the virus remains in the headlines, experts are urging common-sense in handling the outbreak.

This version of the flu is a combination of human, swine and bird flu viruses and continues to evolve. You need both a regular flu shot and a vaccine for the swine flu to be fully protected from it; doses of the H1N1 vaccine are currently being shipped to all points around Connecticut and Hartford County but are being given to high risk patients first.

Like ordinary flu, those at greatest risk for Swine Flu are the very young, the elderly and pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control note that 70 percent of those hospitalized for the disease had other medical conditions that made them a higher risk, such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma.

Symptoms for Swine Flu (H1N1) vary in severity from person to person but include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy and coughing. Some experience headaches, vomiting or diarrhea. It's important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you have any symptoms; antiviral drugs can greatly reduce the risks, but they need to be started early.

For more information about the swine flu and other health issues in the Hartford County, Connecticut area, please contact one of the nearby health departments below:

Windsor Health Department
275 Broad Street Windsor, CT 6095
Phone: 860-285-1823
Fax: 860-285-1864
Website

Bristol-Burlington Health District
240 Stafford Ave Bristol, CT 6010
Phone: 860-584-7682
Fax: 860-584-3814
Website

East Hartford Health Department
740 Main Street East Hartford, CT 6108
Phone: 860-291-7324
Fax: 860-291-7326
Website

Plainville Health Department
1 Central Square Plainville, CT 6062
Phone: 860-793-0221
Fax: 860-747-1123
Website

South Windsor Health Department
1540 Sullivan Avenue South Windsor, CT 6074
Phone: 860-644-2511
Fax: 860-644-3781
Website

Hartford Health Department
2 Holcomb Street Hartford, CT 6112
Phone: 860-543-8860
Fax: 860-722-6851
Website

North Central Health District
31 North Main Street Enfield, CT 6083
Phone: 860-745-0383
Fax: 860-745-3188
Website

West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District
693-C Bloomfield Ave. Bloomfield, CT 6002
Phone: 860-561-7900
Fax: 860-561-7918
Website

Farmington Valley Health District
50 Avon Meadow Lane Avon, CT 6001
Phone: 860-676-1953
Fax: 860-676-2131
Website

New Britain Health Department
56 Hawkins Street New Britain, CT 6052
Phone: 860-612-2771
Fax: 860-826-3475
Website

Southington Health Department
93 Main Street Southington, CT 6489
Phone: 860-276-6275
Fax: 860-276-6277
Website

Manchester Health Department
479 Main St Manchester, CT 6045
Phone: 860-647-3173
Fax: 860-647-3188
Website

Central Connecticut Health District
505 Silas Deane Hwy Wethersfield, CT 6109
Phone: 860-721-2822
Fax: 860-721-2823
Website

Glastonbury Health Department
2155 Main St Glastonbury, CT 6033
Phone: 860-652-7534
Fax: 860-652-7533
Website

Connecticut and Hartford County Flu Clinic Locations:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/states/connecticut.html

In the meantime, here are the best ways to protect yourself against the flu - and stop the spread:

- Swine Flu is transmitted primarily through coughing or sneezing; you can't get it from eating pork products.

- Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your hands to your eyes or face. Use hand sanitizer after being out in public places. Be extra-careful if you're caring for someone who has the flu.

- If there's no tissue handy, cover your nose and mouth with the crook of your arm {versus your hand - see above} if you cough or sneeze. Dispose of any used tissues. By the way, experts say those garden-variety surgical masks are only slightly effective in protecting you (and others) from the virus.

- If you feel sick, do yourself -and your fellow citizens - a favor by staying home from work or school, and away from confined public places like a movie theater, airplane or subway.

Keep in mind that there is a Connecticut seasonal flu outbreak each year; and while the number of reported cases of Swine Flu in Connecticut and Hartford County may change daily, the number of actual fatalities is currently well below what regular flu outbreaks cause annually. So stay calm - and stay healthy!

Stay on top of what the officials are doing to curb the spread of the flu by checking these sites.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
http://pandemicflu.gov/general/index.html