1.  What are the H1N1 flu symptoms?

Symptoms of the H1N1 flu include:  fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue

A significant number of people lso have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

fast breathing

trouble breathing

bluish or gray skin color

not drinking enough fluids

not urinating as much as usual

sever or persistent vomiting

not waking up or interacting as usual

being so irritable that your child does not even want to be held

fever returns after being absent for a day, or a significant change in fever pattern occurs

4.  Is the H1N1 flu vaccine available?

It is available on a sporadic basis.  Please check this website daily for updated information on availability.  We are not given notice about when we will get the vaccine - it just shows up in the mail.

5.  Who should get an H1N1 flu vaccine?

Prenant women - because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated

Household contacts and caregivers for children younger that 6 months of age - because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated.  Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel - because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients.  Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age:

Children from 6 months through 18 years of age - because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and

Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases no novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population

Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influnza.

6.  Where does a child get the H1N1 flu vaccine?

The New York State Department of Health has not yet published the procedure for vaccinating the general population.  It is expected to be through a combination of public clinics (e.g. at your local library), schools, and doctors offices.  We will publish this information as soon as we hear from the Department of Health.

 

7.  Where can I find out more about the H1N1 flu virus?

Check out the following web sites:

U.S. Center For Disease Control

H1N1 brochure from the CDC