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

Truro Town Board of Health
24 Town Hall Rd Truro, MA 02666-2030
Phone: 508-349-7004
Website

Orleans Town Board of Health
19 School Rd. Orleans, MA 2653
Phone: 508-240-3700
Website

Barnstable County Health Department
County Superior Court Bld. 31 Barnstable, MA 2630
Phone: 508-375-6877
Website

Brewster Town Board of Health
2198 Main Street Brewster, MA 2631
Phone: 508-896-3701
Website

Chatham Town Board of Health
261 George Ryder Rd. Chatham, MA 2633
Phone: 508-945-5165
Website

Sandwich Town Board of Health
16 Jan Sebastian Dr. Sandwich, MA 2563
Phone: 508-888-4200
Website

Wellfleet Town Board of Health
220 W. Main St. Wellfleet, MA 2667
Phone: 508-349-0308
Website

Eastham Town Board of Health
Town Hall 2500 State Highway Eastham, MA 02642-2544
Phone: 508-240-5900
Website

Dennis Town Board of Health
465 Main Street Dennis, MA 2639
Phone: 508-760-6118
Website

Mashpee Town Board of Health
16 Great Neck Rd. Mashpee, MA 2649
Phone: 508-539-1400
Website

Falmouth Town Board of Health
59 Town Hall Square Falmouth, MA 2540
Phone: 508-495-7485
Website

Provincetown Town Board of Health
260 Commercial St. Town Hall Provincetown, MA 2657
Phone: 508-487-7000
Website

Barnstable Town Board of Health
200 Main St. Barnstable, MA 02601-4002
Phone: 508-862-4644
Website

Harwich Town Board of Health
732 Main St. Harwich, MA 2645
Phone: 508-430-7509
Website

Bourne Town Board of Health
24 Perry Ave. Bourne, MA 2532
Phone: 508-759-0615
Website

Massachusetts and Barnstable 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 Barnstable 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