Flu season is in full swing a full two months earlier than normal this year – and nearly all cases are the new swine flu H1N1 strain that so far is targeting mostly children and younger adults. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things we should all be aware of. Here are some questions and the answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which predicts a long and busy flu season.
Q. Where’s the vaccine, and how many shots will I need?
A. Many people will need to line up twice – one vaccine for the regular winter flu, which is available now, and a separate vaccine for the swine flu, which will be available in October. It appears that adults will need just one dose of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, but studies are under way in children to see if they will need a second booster.
Q. Why can’t both vaccines be combined into one shot?
A. Bad timing is the short answer. Swine flu didn’t show up until April, after manufacturers had already started brewing this fall’s batch of the regular winter flu vaccine and too late to add into that mix.
Q. How does swine flu compare to regular flu strains?
A. So far it doesn’t seem any more deadly than regular flu, which kills between 35,000 – 40,000 Americans each flu season. But swine flu does appear to have a different target – the young. And it spreads very easily, especially in crowded schools. A University of Washington study found the typical sick school student infects two to three classmates – so keep sick kids home!! By the way, the sad reality is that you can be contagious up to 24 hours before you show symptoms, one reason the flu spreads like a wildfire.
Q. Who’s at highest risk of severe illness or even death?
A. Children under 5. Pregnant women. People over 65. And people of any age with asthma or other lung disorders; diabetes; heart, kidney, liver or blood disorders; or a weakened immune system.
Q. I think I had the swine flu over the summer. Do I still need the vaccine?
A. YES! Other viruses mimic flu so it’s hard to be sure what you had – or didn’t have.
Q. How does swine flu affect children, and what symptoms should prompt a race to the doctor?
A. Symptoms are the same if you’re 5 or 65: Fever; aches, cough, sore throat, sneezing or runny nose, sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
Q. What are emergency signs for an adult?
A. Difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or stomach, dizziness, confusion, severe vomiting or a rebound fever.
Q. Will I or my child need anti-flu medicines Tamiflu or Relenza?
A. No. Most won’t, according to the CDC. Most people will recover with rest and fluids – don’t get dehydrated.
Q. How long should sick kids stay out of school or day care?
A. For 24 hours after the fever breaks naturally, not because of fever-reducing medicine. And never give a child aspirin, only non-aspirin fever reducers. For a child under 5, ask a doctor first about type and dose. You’re considered most contagious while feverish. Bush children especially can be contagious for over a week, so doctors say use common sense – stay home if you’re still sick after the fever breaks.
Q. Is it true that not everyone get a fever?
A. Yes. There are no good estimates although the CDC thinks it’s not too common.
Q. Someone’s sick in my office. How long until I know if I caught it?
A. Up to a week.
Q. What do I do if I find out I have swine flu – or the regular seasonal flu.
A. Tell everyone and stay away from everyone – including co-workers, friends and to the extent possible, family.
Q. Can you catch the flu from the flu shot?
A. No. It’s biologically impossible for a flu shot to give you influenza; it’s made with a dead virus. But the flu shot won’t prevent a cold or other flu-like viruses, causing some confusion.
Q. What if I hate shots?
A. There’s FluMist, which is squirted in your nose and available for people ages 2 to 49.
Q. What if I have asthma?
A. Any flu can worsen asthma attacks. Children may be prescribed Tamiflu at the first symptoms, so call your doctor.
Q. What if I have diabetes?
A. Flu can increase a diabetic’s blood sugar, so test frequently and call your doctor about adjusting insulin or other medications
Q. My child was told to bring hand sanitizer to school and use it regularly. Is there any concern with that?
A. No. Just keep the whole bottle away from kids who might try to swallow it.
Q. Where can I find out more information?
A. www.flu.gov.
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