Iowa Public Television

Below are resources to help you and your family learn more about the flu, with important tips on flu prevention from local and national sources.

• For Answers to Your Immediate Questions:
  • 1-800-447-1985 - Public's Questions
  • 1-866-282-5815 - Health Care Providers' Questions
• Iowa Information Links:
  • governor.iowa.gov
  • idph.state.ia.us
• Podcast on the H1N1 Flu - In this video, a physician with the CDC's Influenza Division describes the H1N1 flu--its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.  
• Key Facts About H1N1 - Frequently Asked Questions about the flu regarding the virus.

Tips for Parents:

• Healthy Minutes: ABCs of Handwashing - Learn how germs can spread and the importance of handwashing from IPTV’s Dan Wardell. Visit the Healthy Minutes Web site for links to great age-appropriate books about germs and washing your hands.
• Handling Scary Headlines - With stories about swine flu and economic woes swirling around, your child might have a lot of tough questions. Learn how to respond with these age-appropriate tips for talking to kids about the news.
• Information for Parents and Caregivers about H1N1 - This information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gives tips for concerned parents and caregivers.

Tips for Flu Prevention

State health officials remind Iowans to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the flu.

• Wash hands frequently, and always wash hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue, or a sleeve or elbow.
• If a person feels ill: stay home. Don’t send children to school if they feel ill.
• If a person has a temperature that rises above 100 F, along with other symptoms including a cough, sore throat, and extreme tiredness, contact a health care provider to be seen and tested in a way that will not endanger the health of others.