H1N1 Swine Flu: Questions & Answers

Based upon information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other professional experts, below are some questions and answers about the H1N1 Swine Flu to keep in mind. You are encouraged to contact your medical provider directly for any advice pertaining to either the seasonal influenza or the H1N1 flu.

Is the pandemic H1N1 virus continuing to spread?
According to the CDC, the influenza activity is now decreasing across all key indicators, but overall remains high. There has been some flu activity in all 50 states as highlighted in the state chart. Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness have been higher this season than normal.

Will the H1N1 virus have a big impact on the population in the United States?
The current H1N1 flu circulating right now will feel like a bad case of the flu for most of those who get sick. However, this H1N1 strain does have a disproportionate impact on young people and pregnant mothers. The H1N1 virus will end up infecting or impacting much of the U.S. before it subsides later this year.

Is the vaccine finally available on a wide-spread basis and are specific groups still receiving the vaccine first?
The vaccine shortages reported this past fall are now greatly diminished. Last year, vaccine production ran behind schedule, which created wide-spread shortages. Initially, the H1N1inoculations were targeted to five groups: 1) pregnant women; 2) caretakers of children less than six months old [the vaccination is not recommend for infants]; 3) health care providers; 4) younger people [i.e., 6 months to 24 years], and 5) individuals ages 24 to 64. The elderly were not initially on the high priority list because many in this age group already have partial immunity. Going forward, both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines should be available to everyone who wants to get vaccinated.

Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?
In terms of safety, the vaccine is not really a new vaccine. Each year, the flu vaccine is altered slightly to pick up on the current strains. This applies both to the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines. Although every vaccine carries some very limited risks, there is nothing in this vaccine that makes it any more dangerous in terms of adverse reactions than any vaccine administered in previous years.

What are the symptoms of seasonal and pandemic H1N1 flu?
Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu can cause mild to severe illness. Flu symptoms are often felt suddenly and include fever, cough or sore throat. Other symptoms include nasal congestion, body aches, headache, and chills along with feeling very tired. Many people who have been infected with the H1N1 virus, especially children, also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect me against the H1N1 flu?
No. The regular seasonal flu vaccine will only protect against seasonal flu and not against the H1N1 strain. But, it is still important to get your seasonal flu vaccine, especially if you are at risk for serious complications. If more people get the vaccine now, it could help reduce the overall impact of flu in the U.S. this coming year.

How many U.S. deaths are the experts predicting over the next 12 months from both the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu?
The Centers for Disease Control estimates at least 10,000 Americans have died from the H1N1 virus and related complications. Of course, any predicted mortality rate due to the flu is highly speculative. In general, the regular winter flu kills about 36,000 Americans annually. Unfortunately, experts are predicting up to 90,000 deaths in the U.S. this flu season. In most cases, flu deaths are associated with individuals with compromised immune systems. But, there is a growing number of H1N1 deaths where the individuals otherwise appeared healthy. So, everyone should stay vigilant.

Could the H1N1 virus mutate into a more serious strain?
Although the current form of the H1N1 virus is a fairly serious stain, we also need to stay vigilant if the virus mutates – which means it is possible in the future that it could become much more virulent. On a similar note, another strain that is highly lethal called H5N1 (Bird) flu is being closely tracked overseas – but has not emerged yet in the U.S. But both strains also could mutate in a way that they become less of a health hazard as well.