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All You Need to Know about Swine Flu
The news has been so full of the swine flu that you may have tuned it out. But, when it comes to this virus, you should keep the following in mind:
- Pregnant women are first on the CDC’s priority list for immunizations.
- You still have to worry about the seasonal flu, which has a separate vaccine from H1N1.
- Aspirin should not be taken by kids – it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a fatal liver and brain disease.
- Young people are at the highest risk, and those adults 60 years and older have the least risk.
Swine flu: media hype or real threat?
Due to the virulence and unique DNA of this virus, a lot of the world’s best scientists and doctors are very concerned about a worldwide pandemic. The irony is that if we do our jobs right in preventing it and the season isn’t bad, some will think the warnings were overblown. And if a lot of people get very sick, others will call us unprepared.
The best preparation we can have is arming ourselves with accurate and up-to-date information. This article is a start, but our advice is to monitor the www.cdc.gov website on a regular basis throughout the flu season.
What’s the difference between the swine flu and the “regular” flu?
It affects young people much more severely than older patients. Every year about 36,000 people die from flu-related complications in the US. Over 90% of deaths occur in people older than 65. The CDC’s research shows that swine flu has affected patients younger than 25 years of age more seriously than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high-risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from H1N1. These conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease and neuromuscular disorders.
When will the H1N1 vaccine be available, and should I get it?
Mid-October. Remember, you will still need the regular seasonal flu vaccine also, as we still expect to see that. Over time, there won’t be a shortage, but due to the very low 25-30% harvest rate in production, supplies could be extremely limited at first. So, there are recommendations* regarding who should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities.
- Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than six months old might help protect infants.
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers can be a potential source of All people from six months through 24 years of age.
- Children from six months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 influenza in children, and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
- Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults; they live, work and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.
- Persons age 25 through 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
What are the symptoms to watch for?
Sudden onset of high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, severe body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
How do I know that I have it?
Diagnosis of influenza in general can be done with a flu test in the doctor’s office but will require a second test to confirm whether it is the seasonal flu or the swine flu. If the news is reporting that influenza has hit our area, that makes it much more likely you have it if the symptoms are there.
What about antiviral drugs?
They can make the illness milder, make you feel better faster and may also prevent serious complications. Influenza antiviral drugs like Relenza and Tamiflu work best when started soon after illness onset within two days, but treatment can still be given after that for hospitalized patients or people at high risk for influenza-related complications. These drugs can also be about 70% to 90% effective if used to prevent influenza when they are given to a close contact of a confirmed H1N1 patient.
Be considerate.
If you get sick, illness can last for weeks. Stay home and away from others as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness. This includes avoiding travel and not going to work or school for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. If you leave the house, wear a facemask and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Carry alcohol-http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm - antibacterialbased hand cleansers.
My own medical group has been working diligently to develop a pro-active plan to deal with the H1N1 threat, as our primary care base is close to 100,000 patients. We have been told that if we do get delivery of the vaccine, it will not be until mid to late October, and the priority list from the CDC will be taken into consideration. The regular seasonal flu vaccine, however, is already available in the Flu-Mist version. Let’s keep clean and stay informed.
