Doctor's Blog

October, 2009

H1N1 Virus - Swine Flu

Who Should Get Vaccinated 1st ?

• Pregnant women
• People living or taking care of infants who are < 6 months old
• Health care workers
• Anyone 6 months to 24 years old
• Anyone who is immunosuppressed by medications, cancer, chronic steroids or HIV

Who are the High Risk Groups for Serious Complications from H1N1 Infection?

• Pregnant women
• Children under the age of 5 years old

• Persons aged 65 years or older
• Asthma, chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes
• Immunosuppression (caused by medications, cancer, chronic steroids or HIV)
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities

How about Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women?

• Yes, both populations should get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines
• Both Thimerosal-free (single dose) and Thimerosal (multi-dose) containing vaccines are approved for pregnant and breast feeding women according to CDC, FDA and NIH

Who Should Not Get Vaccine?

• Life threatening allergy to egg or vaccine components
• Life threatening allergic reaction to previous seasonal flu vaccine
• Guillain Barre Syndrome
• Moderately or severely ill – clinical judgment recommended

Can It Be Given with Seasonal Flu Vaccine?

• Yes. The inactivated vaccine (injected) can be given with any other vaccine. The live vaccine (intranasal) can be given with any other vaccine except live seasonal flu

Who Should Be Screened and Treated for H1N1?

• Low risk patients with mild symptoms should stay home and get rest
• If severe symptoms (difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, persistent vomiting, symptoms return or worsen within days), seek medical attention
• High risk patient (see above), should seek immediate medical attention, but need not go to emergency department
• Treat with anti-viral medication only high risk patients or those with severe symptoms if they present within 48 hours of onset of symptoms
• Tamiflu is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding women

Post Exposure Prophylaxis

• Only for high risk groups(see above) who have come into contact with H1N1
• Not for healthy individuals with minimal or no symptoms
• Tamilfu for 10 days

Quick Information

Doctors Blog