Posts Tagged ‘swine’

Historically, pregnant women have been one of the groups least likely to get the flu vaccine for a variety of reasons. Not surprisingly, their reluctance to take any medication during pregnancy is one of the reasons for the low vaccination rates. Additionally, the majority of obstetricians do not routinely vaccinate their patients due to costs involved and that it’s not part of routine obstetrician training. Therefore, the CDC and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology are urging obstetricians to partner with hospitals or drugstores to guarantee their patients a place to get the flu shot. A vaccine is a two-for-one deal during pregnancy. It can protect both mom and baby because the flu-fighting antibodies made by mom will cross the placenta to the fetus and can help protect the baby during its first few months of life. This is why health officials are working on increasing the number of vaccinated pregnant women this year, especially since pregnant women make up 6% of H1N1-confirmed deaths even though they account for only 1% of the population. [via NBC News]

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

This is going to be a busy flu season, especially considering that there will be two different flu vaccines available – one for the seasonal flu and the other for H1N1 (swine) flu. There are different recommendations for both vaccines, but only the seasonal flu vaccine is currently available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends any adult who wants to reduce their risk of becoming ill with influenza to get the vaccine. However, if you are on the fence about the decision here is an up-to-date list from the CDC of high risk groups that should not think twice about getting the vaccine:

• 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);
• persons who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus;
• residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;
• health-care personnel;
• household contacts and caregivers of children aged <5 years and adults aged 50 years and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged <6 months; and
• household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

*If you have concerns about thimerosal or other vaccine preservatives, this year’s flu vaccine only comes in two flavors – latex-containing and latex-free. Neither contains thimerosal.

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

Whether you know it or not, our nation’s health care system is gearing up for a fight with the H1N1 flu this fall. Health officials estimate that as students return to school, the number of infections could increase by ten-fold every two weeks. This has led authorities to expedite vaccine research and production. Right now, the target date for vaccine distribution is mid-October. However, the vaccine is still under testing. For example, it is as yet unclear what the exact dosage should be. Some experts, including Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, believe that in order to prevent infections from skyrocketing the vaccine should get the go ahead and be used even though full testing is not completed. Just as many experts say we should not risk using the vaccine without full and proper testing. What is agreed upon are who should get the first doses of the vaccine – namely, high risk groups that include pregnant women, health care and emergency personnel, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, people 6 months to 24 years old, and people age 25 to 64 who are at high risk due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. [via ABC News]

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

As the start of another school year is upon us, parents are asking what to do should their children come down with symptoms of influenza. The World Health Organization just released updated guidelines with regards to children and the H1N1 (swine) flu. The current recommendation is prompt treatment for children who show severe or deteriorating illness, and those at risk of more severe or complicated disease. This includes all children under 5 years of age because this age group is at an increased risk of severe H1N1 infection. Children who are otherwise healthy and older than the age of 5 do not need to be given antiviral medication unless their illness persists or worsen. Most patients, including children, who are infected with the pandemic H1N1 virus will experience typical influenza symptoms and fully recover within a week, even without any form of medical treatment. The two antivirals currently used are oseltamivir and zanamivir. They can help to reduce disease severity and reduce the need for hospitalization. [via WHO]

Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

As back-to-school time fast approaches, the CDC is bracing for another flu season that could potentially be more severe than the last. This is why they just released their latest recommendations for state and local public health officials and school administrators  on how best to prepare and survive the 2009-2010 academic year. Most of the points are common sense flu-prevention guidelines. However, the CDC is focusing less on mass school closures than on keeping sick children apart from their classmates. The most current recommendations are:

• Students should stay home when they are sick. They should remain home for at least 24 hours after they are symptom free, without the use of antipyretics.
• Ill students and staff should be isolated apart from healthy individuals until they can be sent home. Face masks should be worn by all who are presumed to have the flu.
• Wash your hands frequently and exercise good habits – always cover yourself with a tissue. Use your sleeves as a last resort.
• School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. Special cleaning with bleach and other non-detergent-based cleaners is not necessary.
• Those who develop flu symptoms should speak with their school health worker as soon as possible.

Read more CDC Guidelines. Share your comments here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook

The US now has surpassed Mexico as the nation with the highest number of confirmed cases of the H1N1 (swine) flu. According to the CDC, the current U.S. cases number approximately 2,600, compared with Mexico’s 1,600. However, the total of 3 deaths due to H1N1 in the U.S. is far lower than in Mexico where 48 have died. The rapid increase in U.S. cases is likely due in part to testing kits that have been rapidly distributed across the country by the CDC, thereby facilitating detection.

Latest on H1N1 Swine Flu

Have you had an experience with the H1N1 flu? Share your comment here.

Tweet This Share on Facebook