Wichita, Kansas | October 2009
Vaccinations, Swine Flu, H1N1, Prevention, Symptoms
Writtn by: Lois Rahal, RN, Infection Control Nurse, Wesley Medical Center

Infection prevention is in the news and on everyone’s mind these days. The Novel H1N1 flu virus (sometimes called swine flu) has kept everyone guessing, and now it’s time for the (annual) seasonal flu to show itself again. Kansas health care providers are preparing for the worst as these two converge this fall and winter.

What we know about the H1N1 virus:

• H1N1 has occurred in 177 countries and 1,800 deaths are attributed to the virus.

• H1N1 is more likely to occur in people younger than 65.

• A vaccine for H1N1 has been developed and is in the testing stages. It may be available in mid-October.

• Symptoms are: fever higher than 100°, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

What can you do to keep yourself and your family healthy during this unusual flu season?

• Wash your hands often or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Make sure the germs on your hands don’t get to your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Have your children wash their hands and use sanitizers as well—before eating, after using the bathroom, playing, coughing, sneezing, shaking hands or using the phone.

• Wipe down phones, computers, doorknobs and other surfaces regularly with a germicidal wipe. Use the wipes provided next to the grocery carts so you don’t pick up any germs waiting there.

• Stay away from sick people. If someone is coughing and sneezing, keep your distance (3 to 6 feet).

• Stay home if you become ill, so you don’t spread the virus any further.

• Do the “Dracula” cough – cough into your elbow or shoulder, not your hand. Use tissues and dispose of them in a paper sack or trash can. Wash your hands after using a tissue.

• Everyone should get a seasonal flu shot as soon as it is available. Almost everyone over the age of 6 months can get the flu shot. Although the novel H1N1 vaccine is not available yet, you can reduce your chance of getting ill by protecting yourself from the seasonal flu now.

When the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, everyone will be eligible to get it. Until all the H1N1 vaccine is manufactured and available, the priority groups are:

• Pregnant women

• Household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months of age

• All children and young adults ages 6 months through 24 years

• Healthcare personnel

• People aged 25-64 with high-risk medical conditions

The flu vaccine cannot cause influenza. It is a dead virus and not able to cause disease. It works by making your body recognize it and form antibodies to fight it off. These antibodies take about 2 weeks to develop, so if you catch the flu in those 2 weeks you won’t be fully protected. After they are formed, the antibodies are ready to fight off any live flu virus you encounter for the rest of the flu season. Side effects of the vaccine are soreness and redness at the vaccination site and, in a few people, a low fever or body aches as their body revs up its defenses.

This flu season could be a little trickier to navigate than in the past few years, but with common sense, vaccinations, clean hands and a good germicidal wipe you are better equipped to have a healthy and happy fall and winter.