By Kim Martin, RN, MAT, Health Educator, Boston Public Health Commission Communicable Disease Control Division
The flu virus has been a hot topic in the news lately. This is mostly because of a new flu strain – H1N1, formerly known as swine flu. Although H1N1 flu is a new strain of flu virus, it is spread the same way, causes the same symptoms, and is treated the same way as seasonal flu. The main difference between seasonal flu and H1N1 flu is that since this is a new strain of flu, fewer people have immunity or protection against H1N1 flu and therefore more people could become sick with flu.
Flu, an illness caused by a virus, can lead to symptoms including a sudden fever, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, and general weakness. Sometimes people can have diarrhea and vomiting. The flu is spread when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks and others nearby breathe in the germ. Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and can be particularly dangerous for the very young, the very old, and those with underlying medical problems. The new H1N1 flu virus to date has caused illness mostly in children.
The good news is that you can take simple steps to avoid getting the flu this year and they are the same for both seasonal and H1N1 flu:
Cover your cough: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze and then throw the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve;
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, especially after coughing or sneezing;
Stay home if you’re sick: If possible limit contact with persons who are sick and, if you are sick, please stay home until you no longer have a fever (without medication) or for at least four days to avoid giving the illness to others. If you are a parent, make sure you have a plan in place if your child gets sick and needs someone at home to take care of him or her;
Get a flu vaccine: A person needs a flu vaccine every year to be fully protected. Two types of vaccines are available to protect against the flu. One is a shot given in the arm and the other is a spray given in the nose. Seasonal flu vaccine is expected to be in good supply and is available now. Those particularly susceptible to the flu, including, children, pregnant women, those with underlying medical conditions, those who live in long term care facilities, the elderly, and those who take care of people who are at high risk of getting the flu, should get a seasonal flu vaccine. It is not true that the flu vaccine can give you the flu but you should keep in mind that it takes two weeks after getting vaccinated before the vaccine will provide full protection against the flu. Be sure to take other precautions against getting the flu during this time. Please contact your healthcare provider to get a seasonal flu vaccine or you can also check the Boston Public Health Commission’s website at www.bphc.org to find a flu vaccine clinic in your area.
It is important to remember that the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the new H1N1 flu. The new H1N1 flu vaccine should be available in late fall. At least in the beginning, supplies of the new H1N1 flu vaccine are expected to be limited. Those at most risk for getting this new flu may be prioritiz
