FIRST CASE OF FLU CONFIRMED IN NASSAU COUNTY

The New York State Department of Health has reported the first confirmed case of influenza in Nassau County this 2008-2009 flu season.

THE NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOMMENDS THAT
EVERYONE SHOULD GET THE FLU VACCINE.

Symptoms of the flu are fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.  Flu can become serious because it can lead to further health complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions.

Remember, those individuals who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or those who live with, or care for, those at high risk for serious complications should get vaccinated to reduce their risk of flu. These include:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
      Health care workers
      Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
      Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

There is a record supply of flu vaccine this year, so no one should have difficulty getting a flu shot.