FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF SAN DIEGO
FLU UPDATE
Family Health Centers of San Diego wants you and your family to stay healthy this flu season. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the flu and our network of clinics. Call us at 619-515-2300 if you have other questions or need an appointment.
WHAT IS SEASONAL FLU?
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from person-to-person and can cause mild to severe illness. Seasonal flu symptoms may include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue.
WHAT IS H1N1 (SWINE) FLU?
H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. The symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea.
WHERE CAN I GET A FLU VACCINE?
Seasonal Flu Vaccine: Family Health Centers of San Diego has a very limited number of seasonal flu vaccines for high-risk patients. Currently we are only giving the vaccine to patients that our providers determine are high risk during a medical visit, and only at our clinics with supply. We expect to receive more seasonal flu vaccines in the next month.
You can also get a seasonal flu vaccine at the County of San Diego’s flu vaccine clinics for $10. Click here for a listing of other Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics in San Diego County.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine: Family Health Centers of San Diego has H1N1 vaccine available for all patients. To make an appointment, please call 515-2300.
We strongly encourage those most at risk for complications from the H1N1 flu to get vaccinated, including: pregnant women, children age 6 months to 24 years, caregivers for infants less than 6 months old, and persons older than 24 who have an underlying health condition such as asthma, arthritis, lupus, cancer, diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or HIV/AIDS.
You can also get a H1N1 flu vaccine at the County of San Diego’s flu vaccine clinics for $10. Click here for a listing of other Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics in San Diego County.
WHEN SHOULD I STAY HOME IF I THINK I HAVE THE FLU?
Most people with the Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu can recover at home without testing or treatment. If you or your child have flu-like symptoms, please stay home for 24 hours after you are fever –free (without fever-controlling medications) whichever is longer unless you are given other instructions by your medical provider. Please rest, drink a lot of fluids and take an anti- inflammatory medication like ibuprofen unless you have stomach problems or take medications that interact with an anti-inflammatory.
WHEN SHOULD I GO TO THE CLINIC IF I THINK I HAVE THE FLU?
- You or your child have a fever of 102 or greater
- You or your child fall into a high risk group for complications of H1N1 flu: children less than 5 years of age, adults greater or equal to 65 years of age, pregnant women, if you have a condition that makes you immuno-suppressed or if you take medications that make you immuno-suppressed
- You are a resident of a nursing home or a chronic care facility
- You or your child are less than 19 years old and are receiving long term aspirin therapy
- You are a person with any of the following conditions: chronic pulmonary disease including asthma, cardiovascular disease except hypertension, renal disease, liver disease, hematologic disease, neurologic disease, neuromuscular disease, metabolic disorders including diabetes
WHEN SHOULD I GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IF I THINK I HAVE THE FLU?
Seek emergency medical care if you or your child become ill and experience any of the following warning signs:
Children:
- Fast breathing
- Trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not urinating as much as usual
- Severe or persistent vomiting/diarrhea
- Not waking up or interacting as usual
- Being so irritable that your child does not want to be held
- Fever returns after being absent for a day or a significant change in fever pattern occurs.
Adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting and diarrhea
- Flu like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
