Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Middlesex County

category:Health and Fitness posted:October 27th, 2009

The reports of Swine Flu in Massachusetts (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 Massachusetts and Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, Massachusetts area, please contact one of the nearby health departments below:

Waltham Town Board of Health
119 School St. Waltham, MA 02451-4596
Phone: 781-314-3305
Website

Weston Town Board of Health
Town Hall P.O. Box 378 Weston, MA 2493
Phone: 781-893-7320
Website

Everett Town Board of Health
Everett City Hall 484 Broadwa Everett, MA 2149
Phone: 617-394-2255
Website

Newton Town Board of Health
Dept of Health & Human Service Newton, MA 2459
Phone: 617-796-1420
Website

Chelmsford Town Board of Health
Town Office 50 Billerica Rd Chelmsford, MA 1824
Phone: 978-250-5241
Website

Townsend Town Board of Health
272 Main Street Townsend, MA 1469
Phone: 978-597-1713
Website

Billerica Town Board of Health
365 Boston Rd. Billerica, MA 1821
Phone: 978-671-0931
Website

Holliston Town Board of Health
703 Washington Street Holliston, MA 1746
Phone: 508-429-0605
Website

Medford Town Board of Health
85 George P. Hassett Dr. Rm 3 Medford, MA 2155
Phone: 781-393-2565
Website

Watertown Town Board of Health
149 Main St. Watertown, MA 2172
Phone: 617-972-6446
Website

Wilmington Town Board of Health
Town Hall 121 Glen Rd. Wilmington, MA 1887
Phone: 978-658-4298
Website

Natick Town Board of Health
13 East Central St. Natick, MA 1760
Phone: 508-647-6460
Website

Framingham Town Board of Health
Rm 221 Memorial Bld 150 Conco Framingham, MA 1702
Phone: 508-532-5470
Website

Shirley Town Board of Health
Town Hall 7 Keady Way Shirley, MA 1464
Phone: 978-425-2600
Website

Winchester Town Board of Health
Town Hall 71 Mt. Vernon St Winchester, MA 1890
Phone: 781-721-7121
Website

Carlisle Town Board of Health
66 Westford St. Carlisle, MA 1741
Phone: 978-369-0283
Website

Boxborough Town Board of Health
29 Middle Rd. Boxborough, MA 1719
Phone: 978-263-1116
Website

Lincoln Town Board of Health
16 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln Center Lincoln, MA 1773
Phone: 781-259-2613
Website

Stoneham Town Board of Health
35 Central St. Stoneham, MA 2180
Phone: 781-279-2621
Website

Melrose Town Board of Health
562 Main St. Melrose, MA 2176
Phone: 781-979-4130
Website

Reading Town Board of Health
16 Lowell St. Reading, MA 1867
Phone: 781-942-9061
Website

Belmont Town Board of Health
19 Moore St. Belmont, MA 2478
Phone: 617-993-2720
Website

Littleton Town Board of Health
Town Hall 37 Shattuck St. Rm Littleton, MA 1460
Phone: 978-952-2313
Website

Woburn Town Board of Health
City Hall 10 Common St. Woburn, MA 1801
Phone: 781-932-4408
Website

Acton Town Board of Health
472 Main St. Acton, MA 1720
Phone: 978-264-9634
Website

Lexington Town Board of Health
Town Hall 1625 Massachusetts Lexington, MA 02173-9998
Phone: 781-862-0500
Website

Concord Town Board of Health
141 Keyes Rd. Concord, MA 1742
Phone: 978-318-3275
Website

Sudbury Town Board of Health
278 Old Sudbury Rd. Sudbury, MA 1776
Phone: 978-443-8891
Website

Cambridge Town Board of Health
119 Windsor St. Ground Level Cambridge, MA 2138
Phone: 617-665-3800
Website

Stow Town Board of Health
380 Great Road Stow, MA 1775
Phone: 978-897-4592
Website

Ashland Town Board of Health
101 Main Street Ashland, MA 1721
Phone: 508-881-0100
Website

Marlborough Town Board of Health
Walker Bldg. 255 Main St Rm 1 Marlborough, MA 1752
Phone: 508-460-3751
Website

Bedford Town Board of Health
Town Center Building 12 Mudge Bedford, MA 01730-2170
Phone: 781-275-6507
Website

Burlington Town Board of Health
Human Services Bldg. 61 Cente Burlington, MA 1803
Phone: 781-270-1955
Website

Dunstable Town Board of Health
P.O. Box 268 511 Main St. Dunstable, MA 1827
Phone: 978-649-4514
Website

North Reading Town Board of Health
235 North St. North Reading, MA 1864
Phone: 978-664-6042
Website

Hopkinton Town Board of Health
Town Hall 18 Main St. Hopkin Hopkinton, MA 1748
Phone: 508-497-9725
Website

Westford Town Board of Health
Town Hall 55 Main St. Westford, MA 1886
Phone: 978-692-5509
Website

Tyngsborough Town Board of Health
25 Bryants Lane Tyngsborough, MA 1879
Phone: 978-649-2300
Website

Sherborn Town Board of Health
19 Washington St. Sherborn, MA 01770-0186
Phone: 508-651-7852
Website

Ashby Town Board of Health
Town Hall 895 Main St. Ashby, MA 1431
Phone: 978-386-2424
Website

Ayer Town Board of Health
1 Main St. Town Hall Ayer, MA 1432
Phone: 978-772-8213
Website

Maynard Town Board of Health
195 Main St. Maynard, MA 1754
Phone: 978-897-1002
Website

Wayland Town Board of Health
41 Cochituate Rd. Wayland, MA 1778
Phone: 508-358-3617
Website

Lowell Town Board of Health
341 Pine St. Lowell, MA 1851
Phone: 978-970-4010
Website

Hudson Town Board of Health
78 Main St. Hudson, MA 1749
Phone: 978-562-2020
Website

Tewksbury Town Board of Health
DPW Bld. 999 Whipple St. Tewksbury, MA 1876
Phone: 978-640-4470
Website

Dracut Town Board of Health
11 Springpark Ave Town Hall A Dracut, MA 1826
Phone: 978-453-8162
Website

Wakefield Town Board of Health
William J. Lee Memorial Town H Wakefield, MA 1880
Phone: 781-246-6375
Website

Groton Town Board of Health
173 Main St Groton, MA 1450
Phone: 978-448-1120
Website

Pepperell Town Board of Health
One Main St. Pepperell, MA 01463-1644
Phone: 978-433-0328
Website

Arlington Town Board of Health
27 Maple Street Arlington, MA 2476
Phone: 781-316-3170
Website

Somerville Town Board of Health
City Hall Annex 50 Evergreen Somerville, MA 2145
Phone: 617-625-6600
Website

Malden Town Board of Health
Government Center 200 Pleasan Malden, MA 2148
Phone: 781-397-7049
Website

Nashoba Associated Boards of Health
30 Central Ave Ayer, MA 1432
Phone: 978-772-3335
Website

Massachusetts and Middlesex County Flu Clinic Locations:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/states/massachusetts.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 Massachusetts seasonal flu outbreak each year; and while the number of reported cases of Swine Flu in Massachusetts and Middlesex 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