Influenza A/B 2010
New for 2010: Immunization (flu shot) recommended for 6 months and above
New for 2010: Immunization (flu shot) recommended for 6 months and above
| Treatment includes: Good hydration- Gatorade, water, non-caffeinated drinks Anti-pyretics- Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever (not aspirin) Tamiflu- This medication is only helpful within the first 24-48 hours of illness and can be used for the treatment and even prevention of the disease. Some doctors require a test to "prove" influenza is effecting a family before using the medication. While not eliminating the symptoms, it can reduce the days of illness and the chance for spreading the disease to others. It is FDA approved for people over one year of age and there are suggested non-FDA doses for those under one year old. There are suggestions from the CDC on when health care providers should and should not think of prescribing the medication. There are now strains of the flu where Tamiflu will not help (resistant flu). Other medications must be considered depending on each case. Tamiflu has warnings from the CDC and FDA- Click here: 2008 UPDATE |
| The symptoms of "flu" (Influenza A and B) and H1N1(swine flu) include: Fever- usually above 101 and commonly with a headache Cough- and other respiratory symptoms such as runny nose Abdominal pain- and sometimes nausea and vomiting Fatigue- and other signs of viral illness such as decrease in appetite and muscle aches The "Clue" is there are multiple symptoms from multiple places in the body! Like any virus, most people get over the flu in 2-4 days without serious problem. Some people are at "high risk" though for hospitalization and serious illness. These people include children under 5, adults over 65, and those with chronic illness such as asthma, heart problems, and poor immune system function. The H1N1 virus appears to affect children more than the typical influenza A or B. |
| The best prevention is good hand washing, limiting exposure from ill contacts, and getting the influenza vaccine. You should not get the vaccine if you are allergic to eggs! Flu Mist and Nasal Spray for H1N1 and Flu A/B for 2 years to 49 years old: is an alternative to the injection and can be used in patients 2-49 years old that DO NOT have asthma, lung disease, or immune system disease (such as AIDS, cancer, patients on chemotherapy or steroids). Flu Mist and nasal H1N1 vaccine are live attenuated vaccines and can not be used in patients living around someone else with an altered immune system- such as AIDS or patients on chemotherapy. Patients under 2 years old, over 49 years old, those allergic to eggs or the flu shot, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have asthma or a weakened immune system, or have had another live vaccine within the last 30 days should talk to a health care provider about the nasal spray before administration. Some patients will need two immunizations (nasal or injection)
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| Does the flu shot make you ill? NO, the flu immunization is the inactivated (dead) virus "teaching" your body what the flu looks like so when the live virus attempts to make you ill- your immune system can recognize it and fight it. It is always possible to get a different virus at relatively the same time you receive the vaccine and you could mistake the timing of the shot causing you to become ill- even though it had nothing to do with the different illness you would have gotten anyway! The flu shot only protects you against Influenza- not the common "stomach flu". Does the nasal spray make you ill? The nasal spray is weakened influenza (and partially alive). It has precautions to those under 2 years old, over 49 years old, pregnant women, people with immune system weakness, asthma, and those receiving other live immunizations within the last 30 days such as MMR, Varicella, and influenza vaccines, or an allergy to eggs or the seasonal flu vaccine. While some people complain of muscle aches and headache after administration- the nasal spray should not make you ill. (Dr. Goldstein got the H1N1 nasal mist and the seasonal flu shot in 2009- and he did fine!) |
H1N1 (novel swine flu) 2010
The H1N1 (novel swine flu) is a sub-type of influenza A which historically had been contagious
between pig to pig or less commonly between pig to human and has altered itself in 2009 to
being contagious between human to human. This "antigenic shift" is what makes doctors and
scientists nervous about controlling its spread.
The "quick test" for influenza A may be positive if a patient is infected with H1N1 or common influenza A - but
the doctor will not be able to identify which virus is causing the illness. A second test specifically for H1N1 (a
PCR test) is available but is done at a lab- not your doctor's office. The PCR test is typically only performed in
patients that are hospitalized.
The quick test is about 50-80% reliable in picking up Influenza A or B but is much less reliable in picking up
H1N1 (30-50% reliable). A reliable quick test for H1N1 has been FDA approved in June, 2010
Symptoms and treatment for H1N1 are similar to influenza A and B- see below...
There are strains of all influenza viruses that appear resistant to Tamiflu and therefore the CDC recommends
several medications depending on each situation. Do not expect the same treatment as your friend or
neighbor, as you may present with a different situation. Current recommendations suggest treating with Tamiflu
in patients with H1N1 who are very young or who also have chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease,
or immune system problems. Just because you are diagnosed with H1N1- you may NOT be given Tamiflu by
your doctor.
The best prevention is vaccination, good hand washing, and avoiding those that have been
diagnosed with the disease.
While the media reports several deaths from the H1N1 virus in 2009, the fact remains that almost 36,000
deaths from seasonal flu (typical Flu A and Flu B) occur annually in the US- with much less media frenzy.
Immunization is key to reducing illness, epidemics, hospitalizations, and fear.
The H1N1 (novel swine flu) is a sub-type of influenza A which historically had been contagious
between pig to pig or less commonly between pig to human and has altered itself in 2009 to
being contagious between human to human. This "antigenic shift" is what makes doctors and
scientists nervous about controlling its spread.
The "quick test" for influenza A may be positive if a patient is infected with H1N1 or common influenza A - but
the doctor will not be able to identify which virus is causing the illness. A second test specifically for H1N1 (a
PCR test) is available but is done at a lab- not your doctor's office. The PCR test is typically only performed in
patients that are hospitalized.
The quick test is about 50-80% reliable in picking up Influenza A or B but is much less reliable in picking up
H1N1 (30-50% reliable). A reliable quick test for H1N1 has been FDA approved in June, 2010
Symptoms and treatment for H1N1 are similar to influenza A and B- see below...
There are strains of all influenza viruses that appear resistant to Tamiflu and therefore the CDC recommends
several medications depending on each situation. Do not expect the same treatment as your friend or
neighbor, as you may present with a different situation. Current recommendations suggest treating with Tamiflu
in patients with H1N1 who are very young or who also have chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease,
or immune system problems. Just because you are diagnosed with H1N1- you may NOT be given Tamiflu by
your doctor.
The best prevention is vaccination, good hand washing, and avoiding those that have been
diagnosed with the disease.
While the media reports several deaths from the H1N1 virus in 2009, the fact remains that almost 36,000
deaths from seasonal flu (typical Flu A and Flu B) occur annually in the US- with much less media frenzy.
Immunization is key to reducing illness, epidemics, hospitalizations, and fear.
| NEWS: August 31, 2010 The FDA has approved one injection for H1N1, Flu A and Flu B which wellbody is using The CDC 2010 Guidelines for Getting the Flu Vaccine
2010 Flu Clinics $25 (CVS and Walgreens is $30) wellbody is giving flu vaccine NOW at Blue Valley Pediatrics and Diamond Gymnastics and Dance Thursday, September 23 from 6-7:30 |
| FLU ALERT- LOOK HERE FOR NEWS and STATUS OF VACCINE! Flu Vaccine is IN STOCK NOW ! $25 It covers Flu A, Flu B, and H1N1 (swine flu) for 2010-2011 |
