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Is it a cold or is it influenza?
Mayo Clinic has a flu-symptoms self assessment that can help you determine if your illness is likely to be influenza or the common cold.  This assessment can diagnose but it can help you evaluate your symptoms and aid you in planning absences from school or work.

Minnesota FluLine 1-866-259-4655
If you have questions about your flu symptoms and possible treatment options, you can call this toll-free nurse triage line.

MDH continues to monitor H1N1 influenza activity on an ongoing basis. Information about school outbreaks, hospitalizations, deaths and other H1N1-related information is posted regularly to the MDH Web site

What is H1N1?
Novel H1N1 influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. In April 2009, this entirely new (novel) strain of flu arrived in the United States and quickly became widespread, making many people sick. It also spread quickly around the world. By early June, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the first global influenza pandemic in over 40 years. State and local health officials are continuing to monitor the H1N1 novel influenza situation closely and have increased disease surveillance. More information about the virus, H1N1 vaccine, how to stay healthy, pandemic planning for families, schools and business, can be found on the MDH website.

So far, for most people, the illnesses caused by H1N1 have been relatively mild. Unlike regular, seasonal influenza, this flu seems to affect more young adults and children than the elderly. Others most at risk for severe illness from this flu appear to be pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes. Older adults currently appear to be at lower risk than other groups for severe illness such as pregnant women, children, adolescents and young adults.  The novel H1N1 virus, in conjunction with regular seasonal influenza viruses, poses the potential to cause significant illness with associated hospitalizations and deaths during the U.S. influenza season.  Because no one has ever been exposed to this new flu virus before, no one has any immunity to it. That makes it easy to spread from person to person. That makes standard recommendations for protecting yourself and others more important than ever.

Should I get the seasonal flu shot? Yes! The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Seasonal vaccine is currently in short supply.  Additional vaccine is expected to arrive in the next several weeks.  Because seasonal influenza can be a serious disease, we encourage individuals to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against novel H1N1?  No.  The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu. H1N1 vaccine will not protect against seasonal flu. Two vaccines are needed for this fall.

How can I help prevent the spread of H1N1?
Like other influenza, H1N1 spreads when a person with flu coughs or sneezes or by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are some simple, important things you can do to protect yourself and those around you:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue in the waste basket. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
Clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.
Stay home from school or work when ill to avoid spreading the illness to others. 


More information:
Minnesota Department of Health
1-877-676-5414
TTY: 651-201-5797

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348