H1N1 Flu Season
 Here it comes! The Flu Season is back and Texas doctors say it’s coming with a vengeance!
They are urging our families to brace and prepare for the flu – get your vaccinations as soon as possible to help protect the family. There is a difference between the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus – so you may actually need to consider that when you are getting the family vaccinated. The seasonal flu shot protects against the three strains of flu that are expected this year, and a vaccine against the fourth strain – H1N1 (swine flu) has just been developed and is expected to be available for those at most risk by the first part of October and for the rest of us beginning October 15th. And just so you know, doctors are anticipating a worse than normal flu season this year.
Swine Flu Warning Signs for Children
- Increased Restlessness
- Trouble Breathing
- Behavior Changes
- An Uncomfortable State
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Dehydration
- Isn’t Drinking Enough Fluids
- Skin Races
Other Symptoms for Anyone
- Headache
- Sudden cough
- Sudden fever
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Muscle Ache or Pain
- Joint Pain
- Loss of Appetite
- Sore Throat
- Runny Nose
- Sneezing
- Diarrhoea
Swine Flu - There’s a lot of it – but it’s not more dangerous!
Research and experience from this past flu season shows that H1N1 is no more dangerous than the seasonal flu. In fact, according to the CDC it appears to be far less serious than seasonal flu. However, it’s apparently easily spread and so lots of people are coming down with it! The vaccine has been developed but won’t be available until October for those at high risk. The CDC now recommends that the following groups be targeted for priority H1N1 vaccination:
- Pregnant women;
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;
- Health care and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact;
- Children from the ages of 6 months old through 4; and
- Children ages 5 through 18 who have chronic medical conditions.
Seasonal Flu and vaccines
The CDC recommends that the following key groups be vaccinated for the seasonal flu:
- Children from the ages of 6 months old to 19;
- Pregnant women;
- People 50 years of age and older;
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; and
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu.
Today, we have two options for seasonal flu vaccination, which include a traditional flu shot and the relatively new nasal-spray flu vaccine. Both are highly effective, but because the shot uses an inactive vaccine while the nasal spray vaccine is made with weakened but live viruses, individuals should discuss with their physicians which vaccine is most appropriate for them.
DOCTORS SAY - not everyone should be getting the vaccine!
Specifically, the CDC warns that people with the following conditions should not receive a vaccination without first consulting a physician:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past;
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously; and Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
Here are some basic steps
Protect yourself from the flu and the common cold by doing these basic things:
- Simply get into a routine of regular hand-washing with warm water and soap;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth unless after a thorough hand-washing;
- Avoid sharing towels and face-cloths in your household;
- Regularly wash household linens;
- Clean surfaces like bathroom sinks, kitchen counters and other high-traffic areas within your household.
- Of course, regular exercise, a healthy diet and eight hours of sound sleep each night will also bolster your immune system and help your body naturally fight the harmful effects of stress, the flu and many other illnesses.
As a public service we're offering a live online chat to ask questions about the flu. The chat will be this Monday, October 12th, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm with Dr. Herbert Du Pont from St. Luke's Episcopal Health System.
Just click the link below to ask your questions - And be listening for our D.J.'s interviews with Dr. DuPont through October 12th.
http://www.sleh.com/sleh/page/StLukesOnLine.htm
|
