Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Essex 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 Essex 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 Essex County, Massachusetts area, please contact one of the nearby health departments below:

Andover Town Board of Health
36 Bartlet St. Andover, MA 1810
Phone: 978-623-8295
Website

Merrimac Town Board of Health
2 School Street Merrimac, MA 1860
Phone: 978-346-4066
Website

Gloucester Town Board of Health
3 Pond Rd. City Hall Annex Gloucester, MA 1930
Phone: 978-281-9771
Website

Essex Town Board of Health
30 Martin St. Town Hall Essex, MA 1929
Phone: 978-768-7614
Website

Salisbury Town Board of Health
5 Beach Rd. Salisbury, MA 1952
Phone: 978-462-3430
Website

Beverly Town Board of Health
90 Colon St. Beverly, MA 1915
Phone: 978-921-8591
Website

Marblehead Town Board of Health
7 Widger Rd. Marblehead, MA 1945
Phone: 781-631-0212
Website

West Newbury Town Board of Health
381 Main St. West Newbury, MA 1985
Phone: 978-363-1109
Website

Nahant Town Board of Health
334 Nahant Rd. Nahant, MA 1908
Phone: 781-581-0088
Website

Boxford Town Board of Health
7a Spofford Rd. Boxford, MA 1921
Phone: 978-352-2413
Website

Methuen Town Board of Health
90 Hampshire St. Methuen, MA 1844
Phone: 978-983-8655
Website

Salem Town Board of Health
120 Washington St 4th floor Salem, MA 1970
Phone: 978-741-1800
Website

North Andover Town Board of Health
1600 Osgood St. Building 20 North Andover, MA 1845
Phone: 978-688-9540
Website

Lawrence Town Board of Health
Town Hall 200 Common St. rm20 Lawrence, MA 1843
Phone: 978-620-3130
Website

Georgetown Town Board of Health
1 Library St. Georgetown, MA 1833
Phone: 978-352-5720
Website

Ipswich Town Board of Health
25 Green St. Ipswich, MA 1938
Phone: 978-356-6605
Website

Wenham Town Board of Health
Town Hall 138 Main St Wenham, MA 1984
Phone: 978-468-5520
Website

Lynn Town Board of Health
3 City Hall Square Lynn, MA 1901
Phone: 781-598-4000
Website

Rockport Town Board of Health
Town Office 34 Broadway Rockport, MA 1966
Phone: 978-546-3701
Website

Rowley Town Board of Health
39 Central St. P.O. Box 783 Rowley, MA 1969
Phone: 978-948-2231
Website

Amesbury Town Board of Health
11 School St. Amesbury, MA 1913
Phone: 978-388-8133
Website

Newburyport Town Board of Health
60 Pleasant St. Newburyport, MA 1950
Phone: 978-465-4410
Website

Middleton Town Board of Health
195 N.Main St. Middleton, MA 1949
Phone: 978-777-1869
Website

Newbury Town Board of Health
Town Hall 25 High Rd. Newbury, MA 1951
Phone: 978-499-3898
Website

Haverhill Town Board of Health
4 Summer St. City Hall Rm 2 Haverhill, MA 1830
Phone: 978-374-2325
Website

Groveland Town Board of Health
183 Main St. Groveland, MA 1834
Phone: 978-372-3942
Website

Lynnfield Town Board of Health
Town Hall 55 Summer St. Lynnfield, MA 1940
Phone: 781-334-2032
Website

Hamilton Town Board of Health
PO Box 429 Town Office Hamilton, MA 1936
Phone: 978-468-5579
Website

Saugus Town Board of Health
298 Central St. Saugus, MA 1906
Phone: 781-231-4115
Website

Topsfield Town Board of Health
Town Hall 8 West Common St. Topsfield, MA 1983
Phone: 978-887-1520
Website

Danvers Town Board of Health
1 Sylvan St Danvers, MA 1923
Phone: 978-777-0001
Website

Swampscott Town Board of Health
22 Monument Ave. Swampscott, MA 1907
Phone: 781-596-8864
Website

Peabody Town Board of Health
Town Hall 24 Lowell St. Peabody, MA 1960
Phone: 978-538-5926
Website

Massachusetts and Essex 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 Essex 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