SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Have a question about swine flu? The state’s set up a hotline you can call 24-hour-a-day.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Poison Center are teaming up on the project. English and Spanish lines are available.
The state has had a flu hot line before, but it operated only during the daytime and wasn’t staffed by people who could answer medical questions.
State Public Health Director Damon Arnold says trained medical staff now can help callers determine when to see a doctor and if emergency treatment is needed. They can answer questions about caring for sick family members and when it’s OK to return to work or school.
The Illinois Flu Hot line is 866-848-2094 for English and 866-241-2138 for Spanish.