In 2009-10, the Flu Season will have two Flu strains that may cause illness. One is Seasonal Influenza and the other is a new influenza strain commonly referred to as “Swine Flu” or “H1N1”. In some ways, they are the same:

• Both viruses - Seasonal Flu and H1N1- are spread the same way;
• They have many of the same symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches;
• Mild cases are easily treated with fluids, rest, and medications to lower fever such as Tylenol (Aceteminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen); and,
• There will be separate vaccines available in the coming weeks to keep you and your family safer.

In some ways, they are different. With Seasonal Flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications:

• People 65 years and older;
• Children younger than five years old;
• Pregnant women; and,
• People of any age with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

The H1N1 Flu, is new and we are still learning about the risks it brings to our community. It seems like there are additional people who face a risk with this disease in addition to those groups listed above:

• People younger than 25 years of age.

The good news is that most people recover from the flu without complications. There are prescription antiviral medicines called “Tamiflu” and “Relenza” that fight against the flu and can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to recover from the flu.