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Flu Information Page

Flu Vaccine

Enloe Medical Center, with the Butte County Public Health Department, provided three flu vaccination clinics during the 2012-2013 flu season. They took place in September and October of 2012 and January of 2013. Our next flu clinics will take place during the 2013-2014 flu season. A listing a pharmacies with flu vaccine can be found at  http://flushot.healthmap.org/.

steps to help prevent influenza, colds and other contagious illnesses include:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Stay home when you are ill and try to limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.



What to do if you get sick

  • If you get sick, there are some simple things you should know so you can take care of yourself:  
  • Make sure you get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids.
  • Stay away from others as much as possible so you don't spread the flu to others. You should stay home from school or work until you have been fever free for at least 24 hours.
  • If you have special conditions, for example diabetes, asthma, emphysema or heart disease, contact your doctor to be safe.
  • Learn more about what to do if you get sick (CDC website)
  • Get more information for family caregivers (U.S. Health and Human Services website)

Enloe offers two PromptCare clinics that can help relieve symptoms of illnesses such as flus or colds.

Know When to Seek Help  

Some people are more likely to get flu complications -- for example young children, people 65 and older, people with asthma, diabetes or women who are pregnant -- and they should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms. Also, it's possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider.

These are emergency warning signs of more severe illness:

In children

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash

In adults

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu–like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Anyone who has these emergency warning signs should get medical care right away. Learn about Enloe's Emergency Department.

Resources

INFluenza (THE FLU)

PERTUSIS