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More About the Swine Flu
By Naomi Kenan Published: 11/03/2009
Although the Centers for Disease Control recommend that most people get immunized against the H1N1 virus (swine flu), it has identified groups at higher risk than the general population. Those are:
• Pregnant women
• People who live or care for children six months old and younger
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Anyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, but especially children younger than 2
• People of all ages with compromised immune systems or chronic health disorders
• People over the age of 65
Also, even if you were already vaccinated against the seasonal flu, the CDC advises you to get a swine flu shot; the illnesses are not the same and the seasonal flu vaccine won’t protect you against H1N1.
Who should NOT get the swine flu vaccine? Anyone who is allergic to eggs may also have an allergic reaction from flu vaccines. Check with your doctor if you’ve ever had swelling, hives, or trouble breathing after eating eggs.
However, because children with severe asthma may develop serious complications from the flu, the CDC has developed a regimen for giving them the flu vaccine—even if they also are hypersensitive to eggs.
Prevention
The best way to avoid getting the flu, besides receiving the vaccine, is to avoid contact with anyone who has it and wash your hands often—as many as 10 times a day, experts say. Although hand-sanitizing gels are good in a pinch, regular hand washing with soap and water for a full 20 seconds is best. How long is 20 seconds? Try singing “Happy Birthday” all the through, twice. Who cares if you can’t carry a tune? At least you won’t be carrying flu germs.
Symptoms
Here are some of the symptoms of the flu:
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting
(Note: Not everyone with the flu will have a fever.)
Care
If you do come down with flu-like symptoms, stay home and avoid contact with others, except to receive medical attention. Despite the frightening news, most people with the swine flu have had such mild symptoms, they haven’t needed to see their doctors or take antiviral drugs. Still, a call to your doctor is always a good idea.
Source: www.cdc.com
