H1N1 Influenza

Nurses dispense advice to flu sufferers statewide

(NOTICE: Due to declining demand for telephone flu advice, the nurse triage unit of the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline has been suspended, effective January 27, 2010.)

Now that vaccines have arrived in sufficient quantity to immunize everyone who wants it, the news reports about H1N1 influenza have slowed a bit. But there are plenty of good reasons to keep pace with this disease.

The disease is still prevalent in Oregon, and is continuing to send people to the hospital. The fear of severe complications is still real.

The Oregon Public Health Division is still encouraging people to get vaccinated and maintain flu prevention practices.

And in an effort to share influenza knowledge across the state, the division has launched a number of different communications media.

The Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline (1-800-978-3040) gives callers advice on flu symptoms, prevention, how to take care of others and when to see a doctor.

The service includes triage nurses who can answer the basic question: Do I have the H1N1 flu and if I do, should I go to the doctor?

“Most people recover from the flu on their own with rest and fluids,” says Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for the Oregon public health immunization program. “But sometimes it’s helpful to talk to a medical professional to decide if you need to go to the doctor.”

The Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline is available throughout the state, in nearly any language, and the call is free.

“We want everyone in Oregon to get the best information and advice about the flu. And we want to make it easy for people to stay home when they’re sick, unless they really need to see a doctor,” Dr. Cieslak says. Use the hotline to find vaccine and to learn about prevention from the triage nurses, that getting vaccinated is good for Oregonians and for their families.

The Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; weekends and holidays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is expected to operate as long as the public needs and uses the service.

Oregon Public Health has operated its www.flu.oregon.gov web site for some time. Now it has also added two new social media tools: Facebook.com/FluOregon and Twitter.com/FluOregon.

“We want people to get the latest flu information from the comfort of their own homes or when they’re on the go,” says Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Oregon Public Health Division. “Now Oregonians can access information with these new tools, whether visiting the web site on their home computer or viewing updates from a social media tool on their mobile phone.”

Recently the web site was expanded to include more information on influenza vaccines, prevention and care, including:

• Oregon H1N1 and seasonal flu news
• A vaccine locator
• Information for individuals, families, businesses, health professionals and schools
• A comprehensive business tool kit complete with posters and planning help
• Fiona Flufighter educational materials for children
• Useful links including the Oregon Flu Facebook page
• Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline’s most frequently asked questions

For more information on these and other developments, see the state’s flu web site, www.flu.oregon.gov.