January 2010
Updated flu message from NHP Chief Medical Officer Paul Mendis, MD
Flu: What You Can Do
Download the Flu: What You Can Do booklet for tips and information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Is it the Cold or the Flu?
Learn how to tell the difference. Download this flyer from the U.S. Deptartment of Health and Human Services (also available in Spanish).
Stay Healthy and Informed During the Flu Season
The best defense against the flu is:
- Get a flu shot.
- Wash your hands often with soap and hot water.
- Cover your cough or sneeze.
- Throw used tissues in the trash right away.
- If you get the flu, avoid contact with others and stay home.
This season, there are two types of flu going around: the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus, or Swine flu.
The H1N1 vaccine is most critical for those:- Women who are pregnant
- People with infants at home
- Children age 6 months to 4 years old
- Chronically ill children ages 5 to 18
- Health care workers who have direct contact with patients
For the seasonal flu, getting the vaccine is most critical for those:
- Women who are pregnant
- Children ages 6 months to 18 years old
- People age 50 years and older
- People of any age with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or weak immune systems
- People who live in nursing homes or other long term care facilities
- Anyone who might give the flu to someone at high risk (such as health care workers or people who live with or care for anyone on this list)
If you or your child/dependent is in one of these high-risk groups, you should make efforts to get the vaccine as soon as you can.
If you have questions about the flu or about flu vaccinations:
- Call your primary care provider (PCP) and ask if you should be checked or get a flu shot.
- Call the NHP Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-462-5449.