Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 2 : Fall 2010 | Page 49

coughing or sneezing. Throw the used tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough in to your sleeve. •Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze, after using the bathroom, and before eating. •Maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your immune system strong. This should include getting plenty of rest, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising regularly. •Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, which are all places where germs can enter your body. •If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24-hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care. •Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick or exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Another course of action for preventing the spread of influenza is vaccination. The seasonal vaccine, which is usually given in late fall, offers protection against viruses that typically cause the flu during the winter months. While it’s impossible to predict with complete accuracy what strain of the virus is likely to cause illness each year, researchers gather and analyze data from around the world to come up with a “very well-informed guess” as to what vaccine combination will work best at preventing the spread of the flu. However, the seasonal vaccination will provide little to no protection against the H1N1 virus because it is a different strain from the common wintertime flu. To get the maximum protection this year, people will need to get one vaccination for the seasonal flu and one (or possibly two depending on clinical trials currently in progress) for the H1N1 virus. “We anticipate that seasonal flu vaccines will be available a little earlier this year because manufacturers have increased production sooner in response to the pandemic,” said King. “The H1N1 vaccine is new, so the production of that vaccine will take a little bit longer.” King added that the CDC estimates the H1N1 vaccine should be available in the United States sometime in November. While there is no anticipated shortage, people at greater risk will be among the first to receive the new H1N1 vaccine. These groups include: •Pregnant women •Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age •Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel •All people ages 6 months to 24 years of age •People 25 to 64 years old who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. For more information about upcoming local flu vaccination clinics, visit www.carymedicalcenter.org or call Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Department at 498-1158. Additional resources about the H1N1 virus can be found at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, www.medlineplus.gov, www.who.int, and www.maine.gov/dhhs. Oh, so what about graduation you might ask? As it turns out, much of the cancellation talk leading up to commencement day was, in fact, rumor. In May, my classmates and I proudly marched across the stage during a lovely outdoor ceremony at which I received a Master’s of Science in Business diploma. The weather was fantastic, thousands of people filled the stadium to cheer us on, and, aside from the University President announcing that, “in light of recent news, graduates don’t have to feel obligated to shake hands in the receiving line”, the nasty little bug known as H1N1 didn’t spoil our otherwise wonderful day. Healthy You is a free community health and wellness program from Cary Medical Center. For program information or calendar of events, log on to www. carymedicalcenter.org or call Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Get noticed in Aroostook County’s only full color magazine publication . [email protected] 207.472.3464 FALL & WINTER 09 County Health 47