H1N1 questions and facts from the CDC: Podcast Edition
CDC H1N1 podcast
Why H1N1 is sometimes called the "swine flu"?
This virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
…the H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and will be ready for the public in the fall. As always, there is a vaccine available to protect against seasonal influenza this year.There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Who should receive the vaccine?
The groups recommended to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine include:
- 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
- Health care and emergency medical services personnel because infections among health care workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce health care system capacity
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of the 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 the 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,
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of the 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
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
For more information about H1N1 and vaccination clinics, please visit www.mercyhealthsystem.org and http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/health/Pages/H1N1.aspx
Categories: Swine Flu
Tags: flu clinics seasonal flu swine flu vaccines swine flu vaccinations H1N1
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