H1N1 flu (swine flu) is a new flu virus that spreads person to person in the same way seasonal flu does. The number of HINI cases is expected to increase during the fall, locally and nationally.

Symptoms
Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of regular seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. You may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried that your symptoms are severe.

Vaccines
An H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available later this fall at a variety of locations including doctors’ offices, schools, and pharmacies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following groups get vaccinated as soo as H1N1 vaccine is available:

• Pregnant women;
• Families and caregivers of infants younger than six months;
• Anyone younger than age 25, other than infants;
• Adults 25 to 64 with underlying medical conditions;
• Healthcare and emergency medical workers.

The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against H1N1 flu.

More information on H1N1 flu prevention and treatment >