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

Trumbull-Monroe Health District
5892 Main Street Trumbull, CT 6611
Phone: 203-452-5195
Fax: 203-452-5180
Website

Fairfield Health Department
725 Old Post Road Fairfield, CT 6824
Phone: 203-256-3020
Fax: 203-256-3080
Website

Stamford Health Department
888 Washington Boulevard, 8th fl. Stamford, CT 6904
Phone: 203-977-4398
Fax: 203-977-5506
Website

Bridgeport Health Department
752 East Main Street Bridgeport, CT 6608
Phone: 203-576-7680
Fax: 203-576-7816
Website

Redding Health Department
21 South Street Ridgefield, CT 6877
Phone: 203-938-2559
Fax: 203-938-5027
Website

Westport Weston Health District
180 Bayberry Ln Westport, CT 6880
Phone: 203-227-9571
Fax: 203-221-7199
Website

Greenwich Health Department
101 Field Point Rd Greenwich, CT 6830
Phone: 203-622-7836
Fax: 203-622-7770
Website

Darien Health Department
2 Renshaw Road Darien, CT 6820
Phone: 203-656-7320
Fax: 203-656-7486
Website

New Fairfield Health Department
4 Brush Hill Road New Fairfield, CT 6812
Phone: 203-312-5640
Fax: 203-312-5608
Website

Danbury Health and Housing Department
155 Deer Hill Avenue Danbury, CT 6810
Phone: 203-797-4625
Fax: 203-796-1596
Website

New Canaan Health Department
77 Main Street New Canaan, CT 6840
Phone: 203-594-3018
Fax: 203-594-3125
Website

Ridgefield Health Department
66 Prospect Street Ridgefield, CT 6877
Phone: 203-431-2746
Fax: 203-431-1804
Website

Easton Health Department
225 Center Road Easton, CT 6612
Phone: 203-268-6291
Fax: 203-268-4928
Website

Bethel Health Department
1 School Street Bethel, CT 6801
Phone: 203-794-8539
Fax: 203-794-8145
Website

Newtown Health District
31 Pecks Lane Newtown, CT 6470
Phone: 203-270-4291
Fax: 203-270-1528
Website

Sherman Health Department
PO Box 39 Sherman, CT 6784
Phone: 860-355-0166
Fax: 860-350-5041
Website

Wilton Health Department
238 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 6897
Phone: 203-563-0174
Fax: 203-563-0148
Website

Norwalk Health Department
137-139 East Avenue Norwalk, CT 6851
Phone: 203-854-7776
Fax: 203-854-7934
Website

Brookfield Health Department
100 Pocono Road Brookfield, CT 6804
Phone: 203-775-7315
Fax: 203-740-7677
Website

Stratford Health Department
468 Birdseye Street Stratford, CT 6615
Phone: 203-385-4090
Fax: 203-381-2048
Website

Connecticut and Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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