October 16, 2009 in City

What to do if you get flu

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Q. If I get sick, when should I stay home and when should I go to the doctor or hospital?

A. Doctors say if you have a typical range of flu symptoms – a fever of 101 or so, sore throat, runny nose – you should probably stay home and rest. But if you have any of the following symptoms, you need urgent medical attention:

In children: fast breathing or trouble breathing; bluish or gray skin; not drinking enough fluids; severe or persistent vomiting; not waking up or interacting; severe irritability; flu symptoms ease, then return with a fever and worse cough.

In adults: difficulty breathing; pain or pressure in the chest; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; flu symptoms ease, then return with a fever and worse cough.

Q. What’s the status of the swine flu vaccine here?

A. The Spokane County Regional Health District, which will manage the distribution of the free vaccine, received its first 4,000 doses this week and will begin vaccinating high-risk people next week at scheduled appointments.

It expects another shipment of the vaccine next week and is planning a family clinic that is open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – or until the vaccine runs out.

At that clinic, there will be an expected 3,500 doses of the nasal spray vaccination, and nearly 1,000 doses of the injectable vaccine.

Q. Who can get that vaccine?

A. There are two forms of the vaccine: a nasal spray and an injected vaccine.

Those eligible for the nasal spray include: people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months old; health care and emergency medical workers; anyone ages 2 to 24 years old, in good health, without underlying health conditions.

People with underlying health problems, children younger than 2 and pregnant women, among others considered high-risk, will qualify for the injectable vaccine.

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