H1N1 (Swine) flu Archive Questions

Below are Dr. Kerri Thom’s answers to H1N1 (Swine) flu questions
received through the Ask the Expert feature.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended
to be a substitute for individual medical advice in diagnosing or treating a
health problem. Please consult with your physician about your specific health
care concerns.



Now displaying records 1 to 8 of 8.

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Q : 1 12/20/2009	What are the best preventive measures to avoid H1N1 infection? Receiving the 2009 H1N1 Influenza vaccine is the single best way to protect against infection with 2009 H1N1 Influenza A. Other things you can do to protect against respiratory viruses (including influenza) include washing your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth as influenza virus may gain access through your mucous membranes and cause infection; and avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick.
Q : 2 12/19/2009	Can the H1N1 virus be killed by regular household cleaners? Influenza viruses can live up to 2 to 8 hours on surfaces. Persons may become infected with the virus by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water (for 20 seconds) or alcohol-based hand gels and cleaning surfaces with common household cleaners and disinfectants helps prevent infection with influenza. Specifically, the influenza virus is destroyed by heat and several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols.
Q : 3 11/10/2009	Have you noticed any childrens temperature dropping with the swine flu? Most patients with influenza, including H1N1, present with a fever (elevated body temperature of > 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Some early reports from other countries (who were affected by the pandemic before the US) have shown a certain percentage of people have presented without fever. There are no official reports, however, of patients presenting with below average body temperatures (i.e. hypothermia). However, hypothermia can be associated with infections (particularly severe infections) in general. While it is less likely, it is certainly possible that someone with H1N1 influenza may have normal or below average temperatures.
Q : 4 11/07/2009	I got the H1N1 nasal vaccine recently and have had a fever, chills, and sweats ever since. Am I considered contagious with H1N1? The H1N1 nasal vaccine (or the mist) contains a live-attenuated influenza virus. This virus is weakened and has not been associated with actual influenza infection. However, due to the way the vaccine is administered side effects may include runny nose, headache, fever and muscle aches. Transmission of the vaccine virus to other persons is extremely rare and has not been associated with infection. That being said, since it may take several weeks before immunity develops after receipt of the vaccine, it is also possible that symptoms including fever and respiratory symptoms may be the result of influenza (or another respiratory virus). In this case, true infection with influenza or another respiratory virus, a person would be considered contagious and spread to other people may occur.
Q : 5 11/07/2009	If I get the H1N1 Vaccination, is there a risk of the vaccination strength being too strong. What I am trying to ask is: do some people get the flu after immunizations because strength in the vaccine itself can vary from vial to vial? The H1N1 flu shot is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine. This vaccine contains a killed virus that is not able to cause infection; you cannot get the H1N1 flu from the H1N1 flu shot. The mist or the nasal spray contains a live-attenuated influenza virus. This virus is weakened and has not been associated with influenza infection. Due to the way it is administered, intranasally, some people do develop local symptoms including runny nose, headache, fever, and muscle aches within a few days after receiving the vaccine. The mist is administered in a single use nasal spray and therefore the dose should be standard for each person.
Q : 6 11/03/2009	Can a person get the H1N1 flu virus more than once? For most people, with healthy immune systems, it would be unlikely to get infected with the same flu virus strain (i.e. with H1N1) more than one. However, certain persons (e.g. those with weakened immune systems) may have repeated infections with the same virus strain. In addition, if you get infected with one flu virus strain (say H1N1), it is still possible that you may get infected with a second virus strain (e.g. a Seasonal Influenza Virus) or with another non-influenza respiratory virus.
Q : 7 11/01/2009	I am 66 years old. I had a kidney transplant ten years ago. Is it safe to take the H1N1 vaccine and one? In general, the killed-H1N1 vaccine (The flu shot) is recommended for persons with chronic medical conditions or immunesupressed persons (such as persons who have received a solid organ transplant). Persons with these conditions should not receive wither the live-attenuated H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccines. However, all patients with these conditions should discuss vaccination with their primary care provider to determine which vaccine is right for them. In particular, you would want to discuss concurrent medications and immune status to determine if the vaccine will be both safe and effective.
Q : 8 10/22/2009	My children (ages 7 and 9) were both diagnosed old school style with the flu a few weeks ago by our pediatrician. No test, just an assumption because of the headache, sore throat, high fever over 3 - 5 days that it was H1N1. Since there was no conclusive diagnosis, should I still get them the H1N1 vaccine if I can find anyone that has it? Yes, all persons without contraindications should consider getting vaccinated against H1N1 when the vaccine is available; especially young children. While the symptoms you describe (fever, sore throat and headache) are consistent with influenza, they may also be due to other non-influenza viruses. Furthermore, having the "flu" is no guarantee that you will not get it again.

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