As part of the South Carolina emergency information system, United Way has announced that the SC 2-1-1 has been fully activated in all areas of the state to take calls about H1N1, better known as the swine flu. All three call centers have beefed up their staff and volunteers to be ready for what will surely be a steady increase in calls as news of the pandemic spreads. The United Way 2-1-1 system will provide non-emergency information relating to the swine influenza.

The public can dial this toll free number for current information and recommendations about the Swine (H1N1) Flu situation. Healthcare officials continue to recommend that you:

• Stay at home and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them when you:
o are sick with flu-like illness o have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
o experience achiness
o have a sore throat and/or cough

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly to prevent spreading illness with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

• Teach children to wash their hands while until they finish singing a dong like “Row, row, row your boat” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” to ensure they are washing thoroughly Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

For More Information Dial 2-1-1 for Swine (H1N1) Flu information.