H1N1 Flu- What you Need to Know

Wilkes-Barre, September 29, 2009--The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross and King's College  held a joint press conference today at the American Red Cross Wyoming Valley Chapter's office in Wilkes-Barre to discuss what to do to avoid getting H1N1 and what to do if you do get it.

Dr. Bernard Healey, director of the graduate program in health care administration at King's college, said the public should not be concerned about the words “epidemic” or “pandemic.”

“Epidemic means we have a higher number of cases than usual, and we expect that with H1N1,” Healey said. “Pandemic means that the virus is present worldwide.”

The first thing people can do to prevent the swine flu is get vaccinated. Other steps are simple precautions such as washing your hands frequently, staying home when you're sick, avoiding contact with sick people, covering your mouth when you cough and covering your nose with a tissue when you sneeze.

Ted Kross, Wilkes-Barre’s health director said he hopes to have a mass immunization for swine flu in the city in early November. The goal will be to immunize 2,400 people in one day. Kross said he hopes other municipalities have similar clinics.