College students are being told to get a “flu buddy” to bring them food if they get sick and can’t leave their dorm rooms. Pregnant women are being urged to be the first in line to get H1N1 swine-flu vaccine. Working parents are anxiously counting their remaining sick days in case they have to stay home with a sick child.
Flu is unpredictable, so it’s hard to say just how bad this fall will be with seasonal-flu and swine-flu strains circulating.
We asked experts to respond to questions we are hearing from readers. We also pulled information from federal Web sites, including transcripts of briefings, podcasts and Web meetings with clinicians, public health officials and the news media.
When will swine-flu vaccine be ready? Where will I be able to get it?
Federal officials estimate there will be 45 million to 52 million doses available by mid-October and up to 195 million doses total by the end of the year. Virginia Department of Health officials have amassed a list of more than 2,000 providers — including pharmacies, doctor’s offices, clinics and other places — interested in providing vaccinations.
Who will get the vaccine first?
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its vaccine advisory panel recommended that swine-flu vaccine priority be given to:
- pregnant women;
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;
- health-care and emergency medical services personnel;
- people ages 6 months to 24 years of age; and
- people ages 25 to 64 who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
How will the vaccine be given?
People might need two doses — given 21 to 28 days apart — to develop immunity. Recent reports indicate a vaccine tested in China boosted immunity sufficiently in one dose. But that vaccine, U.S. experts say, contains an enhancer not in vaccine made for the U.S.
Will there be a nasal-spray version?
A nasal-spray version is in clinical trials. Since nasal flu vaccines typically contain live, weakened virus, it’s not recommended for some groups.
My child has asthma and will need to get seasonal and swine-flu vaccines. Can he get them on the same day?
It’s expected to be OK to get both on the same day. However, the seasonal flu vaccine is available now, and officials advise getting it now if you can. Also, it is recommended that individuals who get the nasal flu vaccine not get injected vaccine at the same time.
If I get a seasonal flu shot now, will I be protected at the peak of flu season? Can I get a second seasonal flu shot later just to be safe?
“It hasn’t been shown that there is a lack of benefit by vaccinating too early or that giving more than one vaccine during a season even to individuals with weakened immune system has any benefit,” said Dr. Costi D. Sifri at the University of Virginia.
John Beckner, director of pharmacy and health services for Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc., said the No. 1 question from people getting shots at their store pharmacies is whether it’s too early.
“Everyone tells us the vaccine is good for up to a year, which will take them through the end of flu season,” Beckner said.
I had flu symptoms in June, so I might already have had it. Am I protected from getting it, and do I need to get a swine-flu shot?
There no readily available rapid test that can tell whether a person has had the novel H1N1 influenza in the past. Also, there are many different infections that can cause similar symptoms.
Unless a person had a laboratory test that detected the swine-flu virus, the CDC urges people in priority groups to get vaccinated. If you were tested, the CDC recommends you talk to your health-care provider to see if the tests definitively showed swine flu.
Health officials say there is no harm in being vaccinated if you had swine flu in the past.
Will there be a charge for swine-flu vaccine?
It depends on where you get it. Providers cannot charge for the government-provided vaccine and supplies, but they can charge for administering the shots. Efforts are being made to make sure free clinics and other places that serve an uninsured or underinsured populations get vaccine, too.
Some insurers already have said they will cover the swine-flu vaccine, and since many traditionally cover flu vaccine, this should not be any different.
Who shouldn’t get flu vaccines?
As with seasonal-flu vaccine, people allergic to the ingredients used to make flu vaccine should not get it. That includes people allergic to eggs, since the vaccine is grown in hen eggs. Also, if you ever have had a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome, you need to ask your doctor for advice.
People are advised to stay home if sick. But can’t you “shed” virus even before you have symptoms?
You can shed flu virus up to 24 hours before symptoms appear.
“Classically, flu has a very abrupt onset of illness,” said U.Va.’s Sifri. “While you may have a sore throat that occurs at the same time you develop fever and muscle aches, the day before when you may be shedding virus you may actually be feeling fairly well.
“That is one reason that we really emphasize good hygiene. You should wash your hands frequently, when you cough you should cough into [the crook of] your elbow or use a handkerchief, those types of things that generally reduce spread of respiratory viruses.”
Are antiviral drugs still effective?
Antivirals can reduce severity of flu, reducing the chance that infected people will develop pneumonia. They work best if given within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir) still work against swine flu. Other antivirals, rimantadine and amantadine, don’t.
What can I do to protect my family and myself?
The public health messages are the same as for seasonal flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You also can use alcohol-based cleansers or hand sanitizers.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flulike illness, stay home. Don’t go out until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.
- Stay away from others so you don’t make them sick.
Research suggests flu virus can remain on hard surfaces for 24 hours, but it survives about eight to 12 hours on cloth, tissues and paper.
Do face masks help?
For people not at risk of severe complications from flu, the CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask. For people at risk, there are some situations where you might want to wear one.
Where can I get my flu questions answered?
The Virginia Department of Health: (877) 275-8343.
View original article here.