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

Halifax Town Board of Health
499 Plymouth St. Town Hall Halifax, MA 2338
Phone: 781-293-6768
Website

Duxbury Town Board of Health
878 Tremont St. Duxbury, MA 2332
Phone: 781-934-1100
Website

Wareham Town Board of Health
54 Marion Rd. Wareham, MA 2571
Phone: 508-291-3100
Website

Hanson Town Board of Health
542 Liberty St. Hanson, MA 2341
Phone: 781-293-3138
Website

Plympton Town Board of Health
Town House 5 Palmer Rd. Plympton, MA 2367
Phone: 781-585-7000
Website

West Bridgewater Town Board of Health
65 N. Main St. West Bridgewater, MA 2379
Phone: 508-894-1209
Website

Rochester Town Board of Health
37 Marion Rd Rochester, MA 2770
Phone: 508-763-5421
Website

Whitman Town Board of Health
P. O. Box 426 54 South Ave Whitman, MA 2382
Phone: 781-618-9755
Website

Mattapoisett Town Board of Health
P.O. Box 434 Mattapoisett, MA 2739
Phone: 508-758-4100
Website

Marshfield Town Board of Health
870 Moraine Street Town Hall Marshfield, MA 2050
Phone: 781-834-5558
Website

Marion Town Board of Health
Town House 2 Spring St. Marion, MA 2738
Phone: 508-748-3533
Website

Rockland Town Board of Health
242 Union St. Rockland, MA 2370
Phone: 781-871-0154
Website

Kingston Town Board of Health
Kingston Town House 26 Evergr Kingston, MA 2364
Phone: 781-585-0503
Website

Abington Town Board of Health
500 Gliniewcz Way Abington, MA 2351
Phone: 781-982-2119
Website

Brockton Town Board of Health
45 School St. Brockton, MA 2301
Phone: 508-580-7175
Website

East Bridgewater Town Board of Health
175 Central St. East Bridgewater, MA 2333
Phone: 508-378-1612
Website

Plymouth Town Board of Health
Town Hall 11 Lincoln St Plymouth, MA 2360
Phone: 508-747-1620
Website

Pembroke Town Board of Health
100 Center St. Pembroke, MA 2359
Phone: 781-293-2718
Website

Norwell Town Board of Health
345 Main St. Norwell, MA 2061
Phone: 781-659-8016
Website

Hanover Town Board of Health
Town Hall 550 Hanover St. Su Hanover, MA 2339
Phone: 781-826-4611
Website

Bridgewater Town Board of Health
Academy Building 66 Central S Bridgewater, MA 2324
Phone: 508-697-0903
Website

Scituate Town Board of Health
Town Hall 600 Chief Justice H Scituate, MA 2066
Phone: 781-545-8725
Website

Carver Town Board of Health
108 Main St. Carver, MA 2330
Phone: 508-866-3420
Website

Hull Town Board of Health
253 Atlantic Ave. Hull, MA 2045
Phone: 781-925-2224
Website

Hingham Town Board of Health
210 Central St. Hingham, MA 2043
Phone: 781-741-1466
Website

Lakeville Town Board of Health
346 Bedford St. Lakeville, MA 2347
Phone: 508-946-3473
Website

Massachusetts and Plymouth 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 Plymouth 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