News and Information

General Information about Influenza and the Swine Flu (novel H1N1)

The following is general information and not intended as specific medical advice for your child. If you have specific questions or concerns about your child, please contact our office to speak to one of our physicians or to arrange an appointment.

More information is available at www.cdc.gov

What is influenza?

Influenza is a respiratory virus spread from person to person through expectorated droplets of respiratory secretions and mucous when one coughs or sneezes.

What symptoms can I get with from influenza?

The most common symptoms include fever, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, headaches and body aches. People may also complain of vomiting however, influenza is predominantly a respiratory virus. The symptoms of influenza can be very similar and sometimes difficult to distinguish from that of the common cold viruses.

What complications can occur from influenza?

Complications can include secondary bacterial infections such as ear infection and pneumonia, muscle inflammation (myositis), respiratory failure, and death.

Who is at most risk from Influenza?

Influenza is a very unpredictable virus. We know certain groups are more at risk of complications from influenza but even previously healthy people can succumb to complications of influenza. On a yearly basis, there are more than 36,000 deaths in the United States attributable to complications from an influenza infection. Those most at risk include the very young, especially infants, the elderly, those with underlying chronic health problems (asthma or other lung disease, heart disease, suppressed immune systems, diabetes, etc…), and pregnant women. Even otherwise healthy people can develop severe and life threatening complications from influenza.

How can I protect myself from catching Influenza?

Simple steps one can take to help protect themselves include washing your hands often and thoroughly with warm soapy water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way. Get vaccinated.

If I have Influenza, how can I prevent its spread to others?

Stay home until you are free from fever for at least 24 hours straight. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow (not your hands) or with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

If I’m sick, should I see my doctor?

Anyone with difficulty breathing, change in color, change in mental status, signs of dehydration, or prolonged high fever should seek immediate medical attention.

Those with mild symptoms should remain home from school or work; drink plenty of fluids, and rest. An appointment with the doctor may or may not be necessary depending on your child’s individual course and any pre-existing medical conditions. If you have questions or feel your child needs to be seen, please contact the office.

What about anti-viral medication?

There are antiviral medications available that can help shorten the overall course of influenza; however they typically do not result in rapid or immediate improvement. They work best if started within the first 48 hours of symptoms, and are only effective for influenza infection. If your child has a cold due to another virus, these drugs will be ineffective. Because of emerging resistance occurring world-wide to these drugs, their careful and judicious use is important. The decision on whether or not you child should be started on an anti-viral medication should be made between you and your child’s doctor on an individual case-by-case basis.

What about the flu vaccine?

The CDC recommends the following groups be vaccinated yearly against influenza:

-All children ages 6 months through 18 years should be vaccinated annually

-Children aged < 6 months cannot receive influenza vaccination. Household and other close contacts (e.g., daycare providers) of children aged < 6 months, including older children and adolescents, should be vaccinated.

-Healthcare workers and providers

-Persons aged 50 years and older

-Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season

-Persons who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus), or who are immune-compromised

-Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

-Household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu (Novel H1N1 type A influenza) is a new strain of flu that started to appear in the Spring of 2009. It is a called novel because it is a new strain that has mutated from an H1N1 strain that previously only infected pigs, allowing it to now cause infection in humans. It is potentially more infectious and dangerous because our immune systems have likely never been exposed to this strain of H1N1, even if we have been sick from type A influenza in the past. Present statistics seem to indicate that the elderly and older adults in our population seem to be somewhat at less risk from this novel H1N1 strain of influenza, perhaps do to a prior exposure to a somewhat similar strain of influenza from an epidemic many years ago.

Who should get the Swine Flu Vaccine?

The CDC recommends, as of 10/4/09, that the following groups receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• 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 6 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 younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;

• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;

• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and

• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,

• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.