| By now all of us have heard all the warnings | | | | can consider getting the H1N1 vaccine. Your local |
| about the swine flu. This flu is a new influenza | | | | Kankakee County healthcare provider will be able |
| virus that is spread from person to person in the | | | | to inform you better as to what is the right steps |
| exact same way as the regular seasonal flu | | | | for you to take. Pregnant women, those 6 |
| spreads. There are simple steps that you can | | | | months through 24 years old, and those who are |
| take to help keep yourself healthy this flu season. | | | | at higher risk of complications because of chronic |
| There is some basic information that you should | | | | health disorders or compromised immune |
| know about the swine flu. It can be spread when | | | | systems should all consider getting the vaccine. |
| anyone at the Kankakee County hospital coughs | | | | Like any vaccine the swine flu vaccine has its |
| or sneezes. When someone coughs or sneezes | | | | share of potential side effects. You should consult |
| into their hands rather than into their elbow, they | | | | with your doctor to discuss them in further detail. |
| will spread the flu virus onto all the surfaces that | | | | The symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the |
| they touch. When someone else then touches | | | | seasonal flu. Fever, cough, sore throat, body |
| that surface and then touches their eyes, mouth | | | | aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and |
| or nose, they will then be in direct contact with | | | | vomiting have also presented as symptoms in |
| the swine flu virus. The swine flu really isn't any | | | | some patients. Before rushing to your Kankakee |
| stronger than the seasonal flu, but since the strain | | | | Illinois healthcare provider, call them first. Your |
| is a new one, very few people have immunity to | | | | doctor will decide if you need to go to the hospital |
| it. This means that the virus will spread more | | | | or not. If you feel that the symptoms that you |
| quickly and will infect more people. Those who are | | | | or your child are experiencing are that severe, a |
| at high risk for serious complications from the flu, | | | | visit to the hospital will probably be needed. It is |
| will most likely wind up getting it. | | | | extremely important that you maintain |
| If you feel as though washing your hands | | | | communication with your doctor and take |
| thoroughly and coughing into your elbow isn't | | | | whatever advice he gives you. |
| enough to protect you from the swine flu, you | | | | |