Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Norfolk County

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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk County, Massachusetts area, please contact one of the nearby health departments below:

Brookline Town Board of Health
11 Pierce Street Brookline, MA 2445
Phone: 617-730-2300
Website

Braintree Town Board of Health
90 Pond St. Braintree, MA 2184
Phone: 781-794-8090
Website

Millis Town Board of Health
900 Main St Rm 213 Millis, MA 2054
Phone: 508-376-7042
Website

Bellingham Town Board of Health
4 Mechanic St. Town Hall Bellingham, MA 2019
Phone: 508-966-5820
Website

Dover Town Board of Health
PO Box 250 5 Springdale Avenu Dover, MA 2030
Phone: 508-785-0032
Website

Needham Town Board of Health
1471 Highland Ave. Needham, MA 2492
Phone: 781-455-7523
Website

Cohasset Town Board of Health
41 Highland Ave. Town Hall Cohasset, MA 2025
Phone: 781-383-4116
Website

Quincy Town Board of Health
1585 Hancock St. Lower Level Quincy, MA 2169
Phone: 617-376-1273
Website

Avon Town Board of Health
Buckley Center 65 East Main s Avon, MA 2322
Phone: 508-588-0414
Website

Norwood Town Board of Health
P.O. Box 40 566 Washington St Norwood, MA 2062
Phone: 781-762-1240
Website

Westwood Town Board of Health
Municipal Office Building 50 Carby Street Westwood, MA 2090
Phone: 781-320-1026
Website

Stoughton Town Board of Health
10 Pearl St. Stoughton, MA 2072
Phone: 781-341-1300
Website

Canton Town Board of Health
Pequitside Farm 79 Pleasant S Canton, MA 2021
Phone: 781-821-5021
Website

Franklin Town Board of Health
355 E. Central St. Franklin, MA 2038
Phone: 508-520-4905
Website

Dedham Town Board of Health
26 Bryant St. Town Hall Dedham, MA 2026
Phone: 781-751-9220
Website

Milton Town Board of Health
525 Canton Avenue Milton, MA 2186
Phone: 617-898-4886
Website

Medfield Town Board of Health
Town Hall P.O. Box 315 Medfield, MA 2052
Phone: 508-359-8505
Website

Wrentham Town Board of Health
79 South Street Wrentham, MA 2093
Phone: 508-384-5480
Website

Randolph Town Board of Health
1 Turner Lane Randolph, MA 2368
Phone: 781-961-0924
Website

Plainville Town Board of Health
142 South St. P.0. Box 1717 Plainville, MA 2762
Phone: 508-695-3142
Website

Medway Town Board of Health
Town Hall 155 Village St. Medway, MA 2053
Phone: 508-533-3206
Website

Walpole Town Board of Health
135 School St Town Hall Walpole, MA 2081
Phone: 508-660-7321
Website

Wellesley Town Board of Health
90 Washington St. Wellesley, MA 2481
Phone: 781-235-0135
Website

Sharon Town Board of Health
Town Office Building 90 South Sharon, MA 2067
Phone: 781-784-1500
Website

Holbrook Town Board of Health
50 North Franklin St. Holbrook, MA 2343
Phone: 781-767-3030
Website

Weymouth Town Board of Health
75 Middle St. Weymouth, MA 2189
Phone: 781-340-5008
Website

Norfolk Town Board of Health
1 Liberty Ln. Norfolk, MA 2056
Phone: 508-528-7747
Website

Massachusetts and Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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