H1N1 Flu clinic Saturday

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Edgecombe County Health Department is offering a H1N1 Flu Clinic at both of their locations in Tarboro and Rocky Mount from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The vaccine is being offered free of charge. No appointment is necessary.

If you’re pregnant, between 6 months-24 years old, have household contact with children 6 months or under, between 25-64 years old with health problems such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, or immunosuppressant, or a health care or emergency service worker, you fit the criteria for receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

“We are only vaccinating people that meet the criteria,” Michelle Etheridge, health education supervisor.

This is the first clinic that has been offered since the vaccine arrived in late October.

“We will have more clinics and they will be off-site as supplies are received,” Etheridge said.

Prior to that, the vaccine was being offered to those within the target groups on a walk-in basis.

The H1N1 virus has similar traits as the seasonal flu such as it being very contagious and the symptoms. Symptoms include:

• Fever over 100 degrees

• Headache

• Extreme tiredness

• Dry cough

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle aches

• Sore throat

•Vomiting

• Diarrhea

The virus can spread from one person to the next by droplets from the nose or mouth, sharing drinks or kissing, airborne in coughs or sneezes, and droplets falling on commonly used objects.

If someone exhibits these symptoms they should wash their hands often, self-treat mild symptoms and remain away from school, work or socializing. The standard for returning to these activities is staying home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, and without use of fever-reducing medications.

To prevent becoming sick, practicing habits of washing hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitizer; staying away from sick people; covering nose and mouth with a tissue if sneezing; avoiding hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth, and sneezing into your elbow will help in this effort.

The Tarboro office is 2909 Main St., and the Rocky Mount office is at 155 Atlantic Ave.

For questions regarding the virus or the vaccine, call 641-7511 or 985-4100.

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