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

Concord Health Department
105 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-5557
Website

Concord Health Department
40 Terrill Park Dr. Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-8140
Website

Wilmot Town Health Department
9 Kearsarge Valley Road Wilmot, NH 3287
Phone: 603-526-4802
Fax: 603-526-2523
Website

Dunbarton Town Health Office
1011 School Street Dunbarton, NH 3046
Phone: 603-774-3541 ext-106
Website

Salisbury Health Office
9 Old Coach Road Salisbury, NH 3268
Phone: 603-648-2473
Website

Concord Health Department
78 Regional Dr. Building B Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-5940
Website

Concord Health Department
10 West Street Concord, NH 03301-7325
Phone: 603-271-6200
Fax: 603-271-6451
Website

Concord Health Department
115 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-5254
Website

Concord Health Department
57 Regional Dr. Concord, NH 03302-1140
Phone: 603-228-4100
Website

Concord Health Department
29 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-2323
Website

Concord Health Department
45 South Fruit Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-0559
Website

Concord Health Department
36 Clinton Street Concord, NH 03301-2412
Phone: 603-271-5900
Website

Concord Health Department
121 South Fruit St. Concord, NH 03301-2451
Phone: 603-271-3231
Website

Concord Health Department
117 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-5300
Website

Concord Health Department
97 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-4961
Website

Brown Health Department
129 Pleasant St. Concord, NH 03301-3852
Phone: 603-271-4958
Fax: 603-271-4332
Website

Concord Health Department
2 Industrial Park Dr Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-1205
Website

New London Health Office
241 Lamson Ln, New London, NH 3257
Phone: 603-526-4761
Website

Concord Health Department
49 Donovan Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-0978
Website

Concord Health Department
21 South Fruit Street Concord, NH 3301
Phone: 603-271-2350
Website

Newbury Health Office
937 Route 103 Newbury, NH 3255
Phone: 603-763-4940
Fax: 603-763-5298
Website

New Hampshire and Merrimack 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 Merrimack 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