Updated November 19, 2009:
Attention Parents!
Carver County Public Health is offering an H1N1 nasal vaccine clinic for healthy children, ages 5 to 9, on Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic will be held at the Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail E. (Please enter the west side of the building at Door 23.) This nasal spray vaccine will be administered at no cost to you.
Appointments will not be taken, as patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.readycarver.org.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
There is currently a limited supply of seasonal influenza vaccine; Ridgeview Medical Center is working closely with suppliers to obtain additional quantities. The Ridgeview Web site will be updated when more seasonal influenza vaccine is available.
The following recommendations support news from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and will be updated as new information is available. These recommendations should not be considered medical advice, however; be sure to consult your primary care provider with specific questions or concerns.
Symptoms
Similar to seasonal influenza, H1N1 symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and, in some instances, vomiting and diarrhea.
Prevention
H1N1 likely spreads similarly to other respiratory infections—from one person to the next—such as when a person coughs or sneezes, or through contact with an object containing the germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. To avoid spreading an infection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid contact with people who are ill.
- Stay home if you do not feel well.
Treatment
Most people who get H1N1 influenza will likely recover without requiring acute medical care. In instances where patients do become very ill or are at high risk for flu complications, doctors can prescribe antiviral drugs.
If you have flu-like symptoms and/or have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of H1N1 influenza, call your primary care provider, who will determine whether or not you should be tested and if treatment is necessary. Click here for a list of Ridgeview Clinics locations.
Note: Ridgeview recommends that you call prior to coming into a clinic so that you can be given appropriate instructions to help reduce possible spread of the illness in a public place (such as a clinic waiting room).
For more information
Please check back to this Web site for updated information. Additionally, the following resources will have the latest information about H1N1 novel influenza: