Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for New Haven County

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

Middlebury Health Department
1212 Whittemore Road Middlebury, CT 6762
Phone: 203-577-4011
Fax: 203-598-7640
Website

New Haven Health Department
54 Meadow Street, 9th Floor New Haven, CT 6519
Phone: 203-946-6999
Fax: 203-946-7234
Website

Meriden Dept. of Health
165 Miller St Meriden, CT 6450
Phone: 203-630-4221
Fax: 203-639-0039
Website

Naugatuck Valley Health District
98 Bank St. Seymour, CT 6483
Phone: 203-881-3255
Fax: 203-881-3259
Website

East Shore Health District
14 Business Park Dr. Branford, CT 6405
Phone: 203-481-4233
Fax: 203-483-6894
Website

Waterbury Health Department
95 Scovill Street, Suite 100 Waterbury, CT 6706
Phone: 203-574-6780
Fax: 203-597-3481
Website

Guilford Health Department
50 Boston St Guilford, CT 6437
Phone: 203-453-8118
Fax: 203-453-8034
Website

Orange Health Department
605A Orange Center Rd Orange, CT 6477
Phone: 203-891-2122
Fax: 203-799-1554
Website

Madison Health Department
8 Campus Dr Madison, CT 6443
Phone: 203-245-5681
Fax: 203-245-5613
Website

Milford Health Department
82 New Haven Avenue Milford, CT 6460
Phone: 203-783-3285
Fax: 203-783-3286
Website

Quinnipiac Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Tpke North Haven, CT 6473
Phone: 203-248-4528
Fax: 203-248-6671
Website

Pomperaug Health District
800 Main St, Suite 130 Southbury, CT 6488
Phone: 203-264-9616
Fax: 203-262-1960
Website

Chesprocott Health District
1247 Highland Ave Cheshire, CT 6410
Phone: 203-272-2761
Fax: 203-250-9412
Website

Wallingford Health Department
45 South Main Street, Room 105 Wallingford, CT 6492
Phone: 203-294-2065
Fax: 203-294-2064
Website

West Haven Health Department
355 Main Street West Haven, CT 6516
Phone: 203-937-3660
Fax: 203-937-3676
Website

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