Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Hillsborough County

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

New Boston Health Department
P O Box 205 New Boston, NH 3070
Phone: 603-487-5504 X 108
Fax: 603-487-2975
Website

Lyndeborough Health Office
Po Box 6 Lyndeborough, NH 3082
Phone: 603-654-5955
Website

Nashua Division of Public Health & Community Services
18 Mulberry Street Nashua, NH 3060
Phone: 603-589-4560
Fax: 603-594-3452
Website

Francestown Town Health Office
PO Box 5 Francestown, NH 3043
Phone: 603-547-3449
Fax: 603-547-2818
Website

Milford Health Department
Union Square Milford, NH 3055
Phone: 603-249-0620
Fax: 603-673-2273
Website

Manchester Health Department
1528 Elm St. Manchester, NH 3104
Phone: 603-625-5471
Website

Manchester Health Department
300 Hanover Street Manchester, NH 03104-4957
Phone: 603-627-7841
Website

Bedford Town Health Department
55 Constitution Drive Bedford, NH 3110
Phone: 603-472-3838
Fax: 603-472-4565
Website

Manchester Health Department
1056 N River Road Manchester, NH 03104-3508
Phone: 603-668-2971
Website

Antrim Town Health Office
66 Main Street ANtrim, NH 3440
Phone: 603-588-6785
Fax: 603-588-2969
Website

Manchester Health Department
195 McGregor St. South Tower, Suite 110 Manchester, NH 03102-3749
Phone: 603-668-2330
Fax: 603-624-4014
Website

Greenfield Town Health Office
7 Sawmill Road Greenfield, NH 3047
Phone: 603-547-3442
Website

Nashua Health Department
19 Chestnut Street Nashua, NH 03063-7955
Phone: 603-882-5177
Website

Nashua Health Department
6 Townsend West Nashua, NH 03060-9311
Phone: 603-883-7726
Fax: 603-883-2064
Website

Pelham Health Department
6 Village Green Pelham, NH 3076
Phone: 603-635-2703
Website

Manchester Health Department
15 Brook Street Manchester, NH 3101
Phone: 603-624-6466
Website

New Ipswich Health Office
661 Turnpike Rd New Ipswich, NH 3071
Phone: 603-878-2772
Website

New Hampshire and Hillsborough County Flu Clinic Locations:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/states/nhampshire.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 New Hampshire seasonal flu outbreak each year; and while the number of reported cases of Swine Flu in New Hampshire and Hillsborough 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