H1N1 Flu
Information for People Living in Contra Costa County
H1N1 has been in the community since 2009 and is now considered a seasonal flu strain. The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to the symptoms of other seasonal flu strains. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. The vast majority of cases are mild to moderate, but H1N1—like all seasonal flu strains—can be serious and even fatal, especially for at-risk populations and people with underlying health conditions.
For the 2013-14 influenza season, H1N1 has been the most common flu virus so far. Many of the reported cases of severe H1N1 in the U.S. and in Contra Costa this season have involved young and middle-aged adults. This season’s flu vaccine includes protection against H1N1. We recommend everyone 6 months and older get flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine is your best protection against H1N1 and other influenza viruses.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent the flu.
- Get a flu vaccine
- Wash your hands often
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Stay home when you are sick
Flu information for health care providers.
The 2009 H1N1 Pandemic
On August 10, 2010, the World Health Organization declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's H1N1 Flu Summary.