Questions and Answers About H1N1 Flu Vaccine

YES, especially if you are at risk for complications from the flu. H1N1 flu is still circulating in some areas of the country. Four out of five of the people who have died from H1N1 in North Carolina had a medical condition that put them at high risk for complications:

• pregnant women
• people with underlying medical illnesses such as heart or kidney problems, or lung diseases like asthma and COPD
• people with diabetes
• people who have immune deficiencies (including cancer patients and transplant patients)

This year’s H1N1 vaccine was matched exactly for the new virus strain and was developed and produced in the same way as seasonal flu vaccine. Since October 2009, the vaccine has been given to millions of people and has proven to be safe and effective. Mild problems that may be experienced include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly adolescents), headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea. Flu vaccine, no matter what the form, does not cause the flu.

Seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine have been available in both forms this year and both are very effective in preventing flu. The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated) while the nasal spray vaccine (also called LAIV) includes a weakened form of the live virus. The nasal spray vaccine is only recommended for healthy people between 2 and 49 years of age and is not recommended for pregnant women.

During a typical flu season, more than 90 percent of the deaths we see from flu are in people over 65 years old. But as of the end of April, we saw 107 deaths from H1N1 in North Carolina, and 88 percent of deaths were among people under 65 years old. This trend is happening across the country; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports 11,000 of the 12,000 deaths nationwide have been in people under 65. None of the people who died in North Carolina had been vaccinated against H1N1 flu.

The 2010-2011 seasonal flu shot will include protection against H1N1 and two other flu strains that are expected to be present this fall; however, there is no danger in getting re-immunized. Especially if you are at risk of complications from flu, it is worthwhile to be immunized now. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended that people of all ages get a seasonal flu vaccination this fall.

H1N1 symptoms are similar to seasonal flu but may also include diarrhea and vomiting:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache
• Diarrhea      
• Vomiting    

Most people recover after about a week without lasting effects.

Seek emergency medical care if you or a family member has any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
• In babies, bluish or gray skin color, lack of responsiveness or extreme irritation

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• If you get sick with flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from making them sick.
• Get the recommended seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes available.
• Get the recommended H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.

Antiviral drugs may be prescribed by your doctor. These prescription medicines – pills, liquid or an inhaler – fight flu by keeping the flu viruses from reproducing in your body. They can make your illness milder, make you feel better faster and also prevent serious flu complications. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick, usually within two days of developing symptoms.

Reminder: Do not give aspirin or aspirin-containing products to children age 18 and younger who have flu-like symptoms, as aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome.