Frequently Asked Questions about H1N1 and Seasonal Flu – 12/09

Is the H1N1 flu different from regular or seasonal flu?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), H1N1 flu is a new and different influenza virus that has spread worldwide among people.  This spread worldwide is why this flu is called a pandemic. The new virus was called “swine flu” at first because it has pieces of flu viruses found in pigs in the past.

Flu is unpredictable, but this flu season the H1N1 virus may cause a lot more people to get sick than during a regular flu season. It may also cause more hospital stays and deaths than seasonal flu.

So H1N1 is not the same as seasonal flu?

So far, H1N1 is much like seasonal flu with its symptoms.  Most people suffer unpleasant but not life threatening symptoms.   However, the H1N1 flu is making young people sick while the elderly, who normally get very sick from flu, have largely been spared from severe illness.  CDC officials think people over 60 may have some immunity from exposure to H1N1 viruses in the past. 

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?

Symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 flu are pretty much the same - fever, body aches, chills, fatigue, sore throat and runny nose.  Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.   Some people don’t have a fever at all.

How do I know if I have H1N1?

You can’t know for sure that you have the H1N1 flu unless you have a test for that flu at the doctor’s office. Rapid flu tests aren’t reliable for H1N1--only a lab test can confirm H1N1.  If a physician wants to confirm H1N1, he or she can order a special test which is costly but will tell the patient whether or not they have H1N1. 

Current guidance form CDC and the Ohio Department of Health requires public health agencies to only report numbers of hospitalized H1N1 cases and numbers of deaths rather than individual cases.  This means that your health department will not have names or numbers of people with H1N1 in the community.  The reason for this is that local health departments know H1N1 is in the country, state and community, and your health department is already taking steps to prevent it from having a severe impact on its citizens.

Is there medicine to treat the flu and H1N1?

Antiviral drugs can treat both seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu.  These drugs can make people feel better and get better sooner.  They need to be prescribed by a doctor, and they work best when started during the first two days of illness.  These drugs can be given to children. 

Most people get well from both seasonal and H1N1 flu by resting, staying hydrated and taking medications to reduce fever.  Remember that children under 18 should not be given aspirin due to the risk of Reye ’s syndrome. 

Talk with doctor if you have trouble breathing, chest or abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion or persistent vomiting, or if your flu symptoms worsen after improving. 

Anyone with flu should stay home at least 24 hours after their fever is gone.

How does the flu spread?

People infected with seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu shed the virus and may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick to 5 – 7 days after.  Both kinds of flu are thought to spread through coughs, sneezes, or from touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touching mouth or nose.

What can parents do to protect their child against the flu?

First, parents and their children should get a seasonal flu to protect against seasonal flu.   

Second, parents can teach their children to use good personal hygiene including:   

·        Cover nose and mouth with tissue after coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away. 

·        Wash hands often and demonstrate the proper way

·        Teach kids not to share personal utensils or glasses.

·        Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. 

·        Keep your child from close contact with sick people

·        Keep surfaces clean by wiping them down with household disinfectant

So if there is H1N1 flu going around my child’s school, should I keep my child home?

NO – CDC guidance is for schools to monitor closely for ill children and staff, isolate them quickly and send them home, but remain open, in most cases, for classes.

What about a vaccine for H1N1?   I heard that there is one available.

Yes, there is a vaccine available for all individuals except infants under six months of age.

So we need a separate shot in addition to the regular seasonal flu shot?

This H1N1 vaccine will not protect you against seasonal flu, and the seasonal flu shot won’t protect you against H1N1 virus. 

What is the difference between the H1N1 nasal spray and the vaccine?

The nasal spray is a live, attenuated vaccine and should not be given to anyone that has a weakened immune system; who lives with anyone with a weakened immune system; if they are pregnant; anyone with long term health problems; children younger than five with asthma; or children on long-term aspirin treatment.

Are both the nasal spray and the vaccine available?

Yes, both forms are available.  A medical professional at the vaccination clinic can advise you about your individual medical condition.

How do people get the vaccine?

Vaccinations are available for all individuals at vaccination clinics being held at the River Valley Mall in Lancaster.   Your health department is working closely EMA personnel and medical reserve corps volunteers so that these vaccinations can be administered on a regular basis.   This will help to ensure that all people who need and want the vaccine get it.  The Fairfield Department of Health River Valley Mall clinics are free of charge.

H1N1 vaccine is also available at some medical offices and at some retail pharmacies.  There may be a charge associated with these private providers.

When are these clinics scheduled?

H1N1 vaccination clinics at the River Valley Mall are generally scheduled about two weeks in advance, pending medical reserve corps volunteers who can volunteer to administer the vaccinations and health department staff who can run the clinics.  Please check the website, www.myfdh.org for specific times and dates of upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinics.

When are the in-school vaccination clinics be held?

Because of vaccine shortages, originally planned in-school vaccination clinics for H1N1 virus were postponed.  Many of the county school systems have been vaccinated,  with the rest of the schools scheduled for January.  Please check with your child’s school for details, as these clinics will be open ONLY to children attending that school with signed permission forms.

Keep in mind that children under the age of 10 need a second vaccination 28 days or greater to ensure that they are properly protected from H1N1.

Can I be present when my child received the H1N1 vaccination?

Yes. If you bring your child to the vaccination clinics at the River Valley Mall, we have no objection to you being present during your child’s vaccination.  If your child is receiving the vaccination at school, please contact your school to see what their policy is regarding this issue.

If I preregistered online for the H1N1, does my child have to get it from school?

Pre registering online ONLY helps with the necessary paperwork.  You were sent a consent form so that your child may receive it at conveniently at their school.

Can my younger children, who are not in school, be vaccinated while my school age child is getting his or her H1N1 vaccine?

No, unfortunately we are not able to vaccinate anyone other than school age children during an in school clinic. There will be many clinics at the River Valley Mall location when other children and adults can receive their vaccination.

I am pregnant can I get the vaccine when my child receives it at school?

No, unfortunately we are not able to vaccinate anyone other than school age children during this clinic. You should attend one of the scheduled H1N1 vaccination clinics at the River Valley Mall in Lancaster.

I am in a household with children, so am I high risk?

Yes, if you live in a household with an Infant younger than 6 months of age you are at high risk.

I just had a seasonal flu vaccination so can I get the H1N1 vaccination?

YES, if you received the shot and you want to get the H1N1 shot you may do so at the same time as long as it is administered in a different location on your body.

I had the seasonal flu nasal spray: can I get the H1N1 nasal spray?

YES, but if you had the seasonal flu nasal spray you must wait 30 days to receive the H1N1 nasal spray.

What if my child lives with someone or is in contact with someone who is immune compromised?  What form of H1N1 vaccine can my child have?

If the person being vaccinated is in close contact with someone who has a weakened immune system, the child should not receive the H1N1 nasal spray.  They should receive the vaccine.

What does Section 4 mean in the packets that were sent home from my child’s school regarding vaccination clinics in the school?

Section 4 on the consent forms requires a signature.  It is a data release so that your child’s immunization may be counted in the distributed supplies to our community.  The signature also gives us consent to release the immunization record to your pediatrician.

If I think my child already had the H1N1 flu, do they need to be vaccinated?

YES, if H1N1 was not medically confirmed, then your child should be vaccinated.

Where can people go for more information?

www.cdc.gov or www.myfdh.org or call the Ohio Department of Health information phone line 1-866-800-1404 which is staffed from 8 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday and includes Spanish speaking operators.