Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Providence County

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

Providence Community Health Centers
One Warren Way Providence, RI 2907
Phone: 401-444-0580
Website

Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket
450 Clinton Street Woonsocket, RI 2895
Phone: 401-767-4100
Fax: 401-767-4165
Website

CCAP/Family Health Services
311 Doric Avenue Cranston, RI 2910
Phone: 401-467-9610
Fax: 401-467-9030
Website

Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc
36 Park Place Pawtucket, RI 2860
Phone: 401-729-0080
Website

Rhode Island Northwest Community Health Care
142A Danielson Pike Foster, RI 2825
Phone: 401-647-3702
Fax: 401-647-5380
Website

Tri-Town Community Action Agency
1126 Hartford Avenue Johnston, RI 2919
Phone: 401-351-2750
Fax: 401-351-6611
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
202 Prairie Avenue Providence, RI 2907
Phone: 401-444-0483
Website

Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc
210 Main Street Pawtucket, RI 2860
Phone: 401-729-5239
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
239 Cranston Street Providence, RI 2903
Phone: 401-444-0530
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
40 Candace Street Providence, RI 2909
Phone: 401-444-0540
Website

East Bay Community Action Program
100 Bullocks Point Avenue Riverside, RI 2915
Phone: 401-437-1008
Website

Chad Brown Health Center
285A Chad Brown Street Providence, RI 2908
Phone: 401-274-6339
Fax: 401-453-6290
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
557 Broad Street Providence, RI 2905
Phone: 401-444-0570
Website

Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc
9 Chestnut Street Central Falls, RI 2863
Phone: 401-724-7110
Website

CCAP/Family Health Services
1090 Cranston Street Cranston, RI 2920
Phone: 401-943-1981
Website

Thundermist Health Center of Woonsocket
191 Social Street, 9th Floor Woonsocket, RI 2895
Phone: 401-767-4100
Fax: 401-235-6899
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
100 Curtis Street Providence, RI 2908
Phone: 401-444-0550
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
375 Allens Avenue Providence, RI 2903
Phone: 401-521-2255
Website

Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Inc
42 Park Place Pawtucket, RI 2860
Phone: 401-722-0081
Website

Rhode Island Northwest Community Health Care
36 Bridge Way Pascoag, RI 2859
Phone: 401-568-7661
Fax: 401-568-7949
Website

Providence Community Health Centers
160 Broad Street Providence, RI 02905-5010
Phone: 401-444-0400
Fax: 401-444-0468
Website

Rhode Island and Providence County Flu Clinic Locations:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/states/rhodeisland.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 Rhode Island seasonal flu outbreak each year; and while the number of reported cases of Swine Flu in Rhode Island and Providence 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