Flu Information You Need

Presbyterian wants you to stay healthy and flu free this season.

Seasonal Flu

The seasonal flu typically strikes the United States each year some time between October and December and can last as late as March or April. The best way to protect yourself from seasonal flu is with a flu vaccination, especially those considered to be at high risk for serious complications from the flu including:

• Children 6 months to 5 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People over age 50
• People with chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes
• Those who live with or care for those at high-risk for complications

Presbyterian is offering many clinics for the community, patients and members to receive a flu shot and the seasonal flu vaccination is now available:

• Presbyterian Medical Group Flu Clinics
• Community Resources for Flu Information and Flu Shot Clinics

H1N1 Novel Flu

Last spring, a new strain of flu swept the nation, novel H1N1, sometimes referred to as the Swine Flu. Recently, additional outbreaks have occurred in the United States and it is anticipated that more may follow throughout the flu season. Unfortunately, the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you from the H1N1 flu. It is also unclear at this time what the guidelines will be from the Centers for Disease Control and the New Mexico Department of Health for giving the H1N1 vaccine. As more information becomes available we will post that information on this site.
 

If You Think You Have the Flu

The New Mexico Department of Health has issued a Flu Decision Chart to assist in making decisions about how best to treat you or your loved ones.  Keep in mind that it is not important to know if you have seasonal or H1N1 flu, the recommendations are the same. For additional information about seasonal and H1N1 novel flu, visit the New Mexico Department of Health Web Site or the Centers for Disease Control Web Site.