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This year there are two kinds of influenza (flu) that will strike many people —
the annual seasonal flu (which is most active November through March) and H1N1
flu. Here’s information to help protect you from both kinds of flu and how to
care for yourself if you get flu.
If I get the seasonal flu vaccine too
early, will it last the entire flu season?
Yes. Coverage lasts up to a year. It’s a good idea to get a flu shot early, so
you can be protected as soon as possible.
Will the seasonal flu vaccine protect me
against the H1N1 flu?
No. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against H1N1flu.
Will I need to get two kinds of flu
vaccines?
Yes. The seasonal flu vaccine is typically one dose that you get as a shot or
nasal spray. The most recent information from federal authorities on the vaccine
for H1N1 flu is that one shot may be sufficient to provide protection. We will
provide more information about this when the vaccine is available and ready to
distribute; probably in mid October.
Will I get flu from the vaccine for
seasonal flu or the vaccine for H1N1 flu?
No, this is a common myth. The flu virus in the vaccines is either dead or
inactivated so that it will not make you sick. The virus tricks the immune
system into making the antibodies we need. Some people may feel a little “fluish.”
This is your immune system doing its job. What you are feeling is your body
making antibodies.
Will everyone be able to get the H1N1
flu vaccine?
In time, yes, but not right away. We expect there will be enough H1N1 flu
vaccine, however, we can’t predict how much there will be right away and how
many people will want it. At first, H1N1 vaccine will be available in limited
supplies. It will be given first to people at higher risk of complications from
the flu.
Who will get the H1N1 flu vaccine first?
The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people in the
following groups get the H1N1 vaccine first:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient
contact
- all children 6 months through 4 years of age
- children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic (ongoing) medical
conditions
Are there medicines that can treat the
flu?
Yes, medicines called “antivirals” treat the flu. These drugs fight against the
flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in the body. If you get sick,
antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster.
These medicines work best when started within 48 hours after you start having
symptoms. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Will everyone need to get antiviral
medicines?
Most people ill with the flu will recover without complications and do not need
antiviral medications. Antivirals may be given to certain groups of people.
These are people with severe illnesses and people at higher risk of flu
complications. These groups include:
- pregnant women
- people who have certain medical conditions, especially those that affect
the lungs
- people whose immune systems are not working normally
Check with your doctor to see
if you are at high risk. Inappropriate or unnecessary use of antivirals can
result in antiviral-resistance.
What are symptoms of flu?
Common symptoms of flu are:
- Fever about 100 degrees F (33.77 degrees C)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Muscle and/or joint pain
How should I take care of myself if I
get the flu?
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink lots of fluids such as water
- Take medicine to help lower your temperature. These medicines include
acetaminophen/Tylenol or ibuprofen/Advil). Warning! Do not give
aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu.
How can I keep from spreading the flu?
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, or sleeve, when you cough or
sneeze.
- Throw away the tissue in the trash after use.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer often. This is especially important after you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
When should I seek medical help? Are
there danger signs I should watch for?
Children
Seek urgent medical
attention if your child has any of these danger signs
- Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluid.
- Severe vomiting or vomiting that persists
- Not waking up or not interacting (being listless)
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
This could be a sign of pneumonia.
Adults
Seek urgent medical
attention if you have any of these danger signs:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- New or sudden confusion
- Severe vomiting or vomiting that continues awhile
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough.
This could be a sign of pneumonia.
Seasonal flu and H1N1 flu affect people
of different ages differently
Each type of flu affects age groups differently. So far, H1N1 flu seems to
mostly target younger people, compared to seasonal flu which mostly affects
older people.
Percent of ages
hospitalized from the flu
|
Age |
0-4 |
5-9 |
10-17 |
18-49 |
50-64 |
65+ |
|
Seasonal flu |
16 |
3 |
3 |
19 |
15 |
44 |
|
H1N1 flu |
22 |
19 |
15 |
31 |
10 |
3 |
Sources: Centers for Disease
Control, American Journal of
Hygiene
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