Residents with questions and concerns about the swine flu can call a new public information line at 240-777-4200, staffed by the County’s Department of Health and Human Services. Health workers will answer calls from  8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each weekday until the phone line is no longer needed.

According to Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Ulder Tillman, residents should take the following precautions to stay well:

• Always cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue—and throw the tissue away. Or cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow. Don’t send your sneeze or cough into the air. This is good advice always, even when there is no swine flu.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) will do if soap and water are unavailable.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These are places germs can enter your body very easily.

• Try to keep at least six feet away from sick people. This is called social distancing. Swine flu, like all flu, is spread through the air so keeping some distance will give the virus space to drop to the ground if someone is coughing or sneezing. 

• Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea. If you are sick, stay home from work, school or other public places until you are feeling well. Persons who have difficulty breathing or believed to be severely ill should seek medical attention. For information about preparing for emergencies go to
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/HHS/phs/communicabledisease/Immunization/panflu/PDFs/Stay-At-Home_Toolkit.pdf.

• If symptoms of illness develop within seven days of travel from Mexico or other areas where swine flu has been identified, seek medical help as soon as possible. Symptoms of swine flu are the same as those for seasonal flu: fever, runny nose, headache, body aches, etc. When you call for an appointment, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about your recent travel and suggest testing for influenza. You may be given instructions to wear a surgical mask or take other precautions to avoid infecting others.

At this time, there is no vaccination for swine flu. It is not known whether the flu shot you got this fall will provide any protection. The Food and Drug Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers are studying what can be done to protect you from swine flu. Antivirals like Tamiflu seem to help.

Finally, you may have heard that the United States has declared a Public Health Emergency. Don’t be alarmed. The declaration of a Public Health Emergency is required for the government to be able to move ahead quickly to find a cure or vaccination or other medical help. It allows civilian and military stockpiles of anti-viral drugs to be distributed quickly should they be needed. The declared Emergency says this is a very serious situation, that it is not business as usual. But it does not mean you should panic.

For the most up-to-the-minute information about this situation go to www.cdc.gov. Click on the green square “Swine Flu Info.” Please check often as information will change daily. Be assured that we will update you as the situation in Montgomery County changes.

# # #

Contact: Public Information Office, 240-777-6507