This influenza (flu) season, parents should be on the lookout for two preventive vaccines—one for seasonal flu and one for the new H1N1 strain.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital has everything you need regarding prevention, symptoms and where you can find the most up-to-date information.
Over the summer, the H1N1 flu virus—or “swine flu”—stirred concern both in the medical community and with parents. The seasonal flu and H1N1 are identified by similar symptoms, and so far, H1N1 appears to be a mild illness.
“The H1N1 virus has caused some concern because most people do not have immunity to it,” says Alexis Elward, MD, infectious disease specialist at
St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Thus far, it has been a very mild illness in most cases, but it does warrant attention to measures that prevent the spread of infection, such as practicing proper hand hygiene, covering your cough and staying home when you are sick.”
Quick Response
Government entities, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have responded quickly to this strain of flu and are currently preparing an H1N1 vaccine to accompany the seasonal flu vaccine for this year’s flu season and will advise distribution of the vaccine.
“The seasonal flu vaccine targets three different strains of flu, not including H1N1,” Dr. Elward says. “H1N1 may require a separate vaccine and booster.”
In response to H1N1 concerns, communities also have been building up their supplies of antiviral medications such as Tamiflu®.
“So far, antivirals have proven to be effective treatments against H1N1 when given within the first one to two days of illness,” says Dr. Elward. “The CDC has developed dosing recommendations for children, but in general, antiviral medications are being reserved for individuals who are at risk for more severe illness from influenza and those who are sick enough to be hospitalized. The vast majority of patients will not need them.”
Who Needs the Vaccine?
While many people avoid getting the flu vaccine, Dr. Elward stresses the importance of vaccination against seasonal flu for all age groups.
“We recommend the seasonal flu vaccine for all patients ages 6 months and older,” Dr. Elward says. “It’s particularly important for pregnant women, children, health-care workers and people with chronic underlying medical conditions that could result in further complications from the flu.”
If your child has a chronic medical condition, Dr. Elward recommends asking your physician about the Pneumovax®vaccine.
“About 15 percent of people develop bacterial pneumonia following the flu,” says Dr. Elward. “Pneumovax will help provide some protection against bacterial pneumonia that can occur after the viral infection.”
Keys to Prevention
One of the best preventive tools at your disposal is simple: hand washing.
“Wash your hands with soap and running water often
and use alcohol-based hand cleansers as an intermediary measure,” says Judy Ward, RN, Answer Line nurse for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “When you cough, use a tissue to cover your mouth, stay home when you’re sick, keep your children home from school when they’re sick, and take other basic measures such as not eating or drinking after others.”
Call 314.454.KIDS (5437) or toll-free 800.678.KIDS for more information.