How to Protect Yourself and Your Community

We are in the midst of an H1N1 pandemic; yet, H1N1 aka Swine Flu has fallen off the mainstream media radar. Five people in DeKalb County died from H1N1—three were pregnant. At least 16,000 people have died worldwide. There’s no mandate for H1N1 vaccinations, so there’s no way to track how many people have been vaccinated. People do need to get vaccinated every year. Children 2-9 need two shots—each about a month apart. Although originally it was thought that adults 65 and older did not need H1N1 vaccination, the data now show that they do indeed need this vaccination. Later this year there will be a combo flu shot for both seasonal and H1N1 flu. Until the combo shot is developed, adults will need two shots—the seasonal and the H1N1.

Flu is very contagious. Here are some basic DOs and DON’Ts for anyone to follow:

Do the right thing: If you have flu symptoms, stay away from your fellow employees and friends. If you’ve been sick and have a fever, you need to wait 24 hours after the fever breaks to go back to work or school. The projection of the virus from a sneeze or cough is 36 inches. People are able to shed the active virus in anywhere from one up to eight days. If you work, you must have a contingency plan to use for work and childcare in case you come down with the flu.

In the meanwhile, the Asian community can prepare now to reduce the impact of a flu outbreak. They must identify where their communities and social networking groups are, approach the community leaders and mobilize the communities to send out the message to their people to be vaccinated. Brief messages should be sent. Tell why they should be vaccinated. Include the top reasons why people do get vaccinated and the top myths-misconceptions why some people don’t get vaccinated. Use personal testimonies and photographs showing community leaders getting vaccinated. Add a calendar of community vaccination events—where and when—and health fairs and meetings where people can learn about the vaccinations and preventive strategies. Spread the word in the Asian newspapers, online newsletters, posters and flyers at markets, churches, temples, malls and meeting places. NACA members as leaders in the community can play a key role with their personal involvement. Call the DeKalb County Board of Health if you would like speakers and materials– individualized help–in getting out the message to your communities. Here are the people to contact: For a health educator to speak at your next meeting, community event or for a media interview, call Dr. Sybil Ingram Campbell at 404-294-3810 or [email protected]. For flu brochures, call Michelle Sullivan at 404-294-3700.

By: Peggy Roney