H1N1 influenza (swine flu)
If you or your child has the flu, it is very likely that it is H1N1 influenza. To avoid spreading the flu, please stay at home until any fever is gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Most people do not need a lab test to confirm H1N1 influenza. Testing for flu is necessary only when people are sick enough to be hospitalized.
Most people don't need antiviral medications (such as Tamiflu), which are not recommended except for people with the flu who are at higher risk from serious health problems from flu or who have severe illness. Children and employees do not need a note from a doctor to return to school, child care, or work after they are well again.
 H1N1 vaccine availability update:
November 20, 2009 - Public Health is responsible for the allocation of all H1N1 vaccine to the health care community in King County. Health care providers from across King County have been invited to order vaccine to provide to their patients and for staff who provide medical care. Over 400 health care institutions, practices and individual providers have requested vaccine so far. An estimated 190,000 people in King County who are high-risk for complications have already been vaccinated for H1N1 influenza. Currently, vaccine is exclusively for individuals in priority groups. As more vaccine comes into the county and to health care providers each week, people should contact their health care provider to find out when they expect to receive vaccine. Eventually, there will be enough vaccine for anyone who wants to receive a vaccination. In addition to continuing to provide doses to health care providers that have ordered them, Public Health is distributing limited amounts of vaccine to pharmacies. We expect that this ongoing strategy will help ensure vaccine access to those individuals without a healthcare provider and also for those whose healthcare provider is not enrolled to receive H1N1 vaccine.
For information about vaccine availability and other general H1N1 questions, call the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464), which is staffed with operators to answer questions from King County residents about H1N1 influenza, and nurses to provide medical care advice for people with the flu. Hours of operation with operators are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with special 24-hour nurse line service extended over this weekend. Recorded information will be available 24 hours a day. |
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How to care for flu: |
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When to seek medical care for possible influenza, including H1N1 influenza (swine flu)
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How to care for someone with influenza Most people with the flu can be cared for comfortably at home. This tip sheet provides instructions for what to do if you or a loved one has the flu. |
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Preventing the spread of flu These tips will help prevent illness from spreading if someone in your home has the flu. |
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For employers Health and Medical Area Command Bulletins, resources for businesses and employers, FAQ, streaming video for practical planning tips, and link to download or order free posters. |
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For community organizations and human service providers Weekly Health and Medical Area Command Bulletins, FAQs for the homeless, shelter providers, faith-based groups, streaming video for planning tips, link to download or order free posters. |
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Public education materials Stop Germs, Stop Flu! posters, 8-page Get Ready for Flu booklet, streaming video for planning tips and MP3 to listen to a radio public service announcement. |
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Get H1N1 influenza
e-mail updates
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Stay Home When You Are Sick!
A Public Service Announcement by Public Health - Seattle & King County |
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Learn about H1N1 influenza and
what you can do Dr. Jeff Duchin Public Health - Seattle & King County |
 Public Health - Seattle & King County Hotline877-903-KING (5464) TTY Relay: 711. Available in English and Spanish/Español. Washington state Department of Health (DOH) National information: International information: |
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Human cases of H1N1 influenza in King County: case counts, graphs, and surveillance data |
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Seasonal flu facts and where to get vaccinated |
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Pandemic flu preparedness in King County |
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Planning resources for households in multiple languages |
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Newsroom Links to Public Health news releases about H1N1 influenza virus in the community. |
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What is Public Health - Seattle & King County doing now? Public Health's role in working with local area health care providers, monitoring and surveillance, the virus and ongoing work with what has been done to prepare for an influenza pandemic. |