County of Los Angeles - Department of Health Services

H1N1 Information for EMS Providers

The EMS Agency website is posting links that may provide assistance to the EMS community. These resource links may originate from Federal, State, Local governments or from private agencies or media. We are working closely with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department to ascertain the need for changes in policy, protocols, or guidelines. Posted documents may not always reflect current policy endorsed by Los Angeles Public Health or the Los Angeles County EMS Agency. Any change to Los Angeles County protocol will also be communicated directly to the provider agencies by the EMS Agency. Dr. William Koenig
This Web page is dedicated to providing current information regarding the H1N1 (Swine Flu) to prehospital care providers. Our goal is to ensure consistency of information with Los Angeles County Public Health and the State EMS Authority. Questions and issues regarding prehospital care that are not addressed on this site should be referred to the EMS Agency by calling the Medical Alert Center at 866-940-4401.
L.A. County EMS Resources for H1N1	H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Actions to Prepare EMS Providers for Pandemic Influenza by Pandemic Phase PDF \| WORD Recommended Action to Prepare Hospitals for Pandemic Influenza by Pandemic Phase PDF \| WORD Recommended Action to Prepare Law Enforcement Agencies for Pandemic Influenza by Pandemic Phase PDF \| WORD	Full List of FAQs with Answers What is H1N1 (swine flu)? Why is the H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”? Can I get infected with H1N1 from eating or preparing pork? Are there human infections with H1N1 in the US? Is H1N1 contagious? How does H1N1 spread? What are the signs and symptoms? How severe is illness associated with H1N1? How long can an infected person spread the virus to others? What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Are face masks necessary if I am caring for a family member with H1N1? If I have a family member at home who is sick with H1N1, should I go to work? Will the seasonal flu vaccine protect against H1N1? Who will be recommended to receive the H1N1 vaccine when it first comes available? Are there medicines to treat H1N1 infection? How long can influenza viruses remain viable on objects such as books and doorknobs? What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contaimination? What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? What kills influenza virus? What household cleaners kill the virus? Can I use an N95 mask for more then one day?
LINKS YOU MAY REFER TO:
Los Angeles County - Public Health Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Los Angeles County EMS - Communicable Disease Policies Communicable Disease Exposure and Testing Communicable Disease (CD) Exposure and Testing Flowchart Will the seasonal flu vaccine protect against H1N1?