Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms
Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.

Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Information obtained from the Center for Disease Control.
Information on how to protect yourself from the seasonal flu and H1N1 continued on the back of the newsletter.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is empahsizing The Three C's to protect yourself and prevent the spread of Colds and the Flu. Clean: Wash your hands often. Cover: Cover your cough and sneeze. Contain: Contain your germs - stay home if you are sick.
The most important way to protect yourself from seasonal flu and H1N1 is to follow simple, common sense steps. It is important that people continue their daily lives, but in social situations extra care should be taken. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Eat healthy foods to keep your immune system strong. Keep doing what you normally do, but if you get sick -stay home. And talk to your health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms.

Changes to Access to Care Coverage and Re-Enrolling
Important Changes - Please Read
The State of Illinois has not included Access to Care in its 2010 budget, resulting in a $3 million loss in funding. Due to this huge funding cut, the program has a waiting list for new patients.
As a result of the State funding cuts a thorough review of the covered medical procedures and prescriptions is being conducted by the Health Affairs Committee. This committee is composed of medical professisonals who are looking at the pharmacy and other covered benefits to recommend changes that will save money and allow more people to have the services of Access to Care. Women may be directed to the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program for mammograms and pap smears. To enroll in this program, call 1-888-522-1282. It is anticipated that the list of covered prescriptions will change on January 1, 2010. Watch your mail for further information.
Your Access to Care ID card indicates the name and phone number of your assigned physician. It is important that you keep the ID card with you. When medical attention is needed, call your doctor to schedule an appointment and identify yourself as an Access to Care patient.
Pay attention to the expiration date on your ID card. You must re-enroll during the month of the expiration date (or before your card expires). It is your responsibility to re-enroll in the program. If you do not re-enroll on time, you may be placed on the waiting list.
Two months prior to the expiration date a re-enrollment application and invoice with a letter explaining what is necessary will be sent to the address Access to Care has for you. If you do not receive the application, call the office to have an application sent to you.You must mail the application, with all necessary documentation, the invoice and payment of the enrollment fee before your card expires.
You can also re-enroll at the intake site closest to your home.
If your re-enrollment application and fee are not received in the allotted time, your card will expire and you will no longer be able to use the services of Access to Care.

Tell us Your Story
Tell us your story. Personal accounts of Access to Care patients have a great deal of impact and can result in the program receiving increased funds to care for more people. Please write how the program has helped you (your family) and send it to Kate Barnickel, Public Relations Manager at Access to Care. Your story may be the one that acts as a catalyst to potential donors.