Swine flu information, symptoms and resources for Essex County

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

Essex County Health Department
115 Clifton Avenue Newark, NJ 7104
Phone: 973-497-9401
Fax: 973-497-9407
Website

Montclair Health Department
205 Claremont Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042-3401
Phone: 973-509-4970
Fax: 973-509-1479
Website

Maplewood Health Department
574 Valley Street Maplewood, NJ 07040-2691
Phone: 973-762-8120
Fax: 973-762-2805
Website

East Orange Health Department
143 New Street East Orange, NJ 07017-4918
Phone: 973-266-5481
Fax: 973-266-5402
Website

Township Of South Orange
101 South Orange Avenue South Orange, NJ 7079
Phone: 973-378-7715
Fax: 973-761-4357
Website

Bloomfield Department Of Health & Human Services
One Municipal Plaza Bloomfield, NJ 7003
Phone: 973-680-4024
Fax: 973-680-4825
Website

Livingston Health Department / Millburn Health Department
204 Hillside Avenue Livingston, NJ 07039-3994
Phone: 973-535-7961
Fax: 973-535-7960
Website

City Of Orange Township Health Department
29 North Day Street Orange, NJ 7050
Phone: 973-266-4073
Fax: 973-676-7244
Website

Township Of West Orange Health Department
66 Main Street West Orange, NJ 07052-5404
Phone: 973-325-4124
Fax: 973-325-4005
Website

Essex Regional Health Commission
2 Babcock Place West Orange, NJ 7052
Phone: 973-325-3212
Fax: 973-325-8854
Website

Newark Department Of Health & Human Services
110 William Street Newark, NJ 07102-1316
Phone: 973-733-7592
Fax: 973-733-5614
Website

Irvington Health Department
1 Civic Square Irvington, NJ 07111-2497
Phone: 973-399-6647
Fax: 973-371-1489
Website

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