Seasonal Flu or H1N1?

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Every year in the United States, on average between 5 and 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and, about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.

Novel H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

In seasonal flu, certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with the novel H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at "high risk" of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of novel H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to novel H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus.

"You can reduce your risk of catching the flu by washing your hands frequently, which stops the spread of germs. Eating healthy exercising and getting enough sleep also play a part in preventing the flu because they help boost your immune system," said Dr. Steven Johnson of Prairie Clinic.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• 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. Alcohol-based hand cleaners* are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs*, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious

The best way to avoid getting the seasonal flu is to get the influenza vaccine. The vaccine works by exposing your immune system to the flu virus. Your body will build up antibodies to the virus to protect you from getting the flu. The flu shot contains dead viruses. You cannot get the flu from the flu shot.

Centers for Disease Control is concerned that the presence of the H1N1 flu virus in addition to the seasonal flu could result in a particularly severe flu season this year.

"Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza." Stated Dr. Johnson. The CDC hopes that people will start to go out and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctor's offices and in their communities.

The seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against H1N1 influenza. However a H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and should be ready for the public by the end of October. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine - it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine.

Prairie Clinic has begun scheduling appointments for Seasonal FLU Vaccination.

"As a leading primary care provider in the Sauk Prairie area, our annual flu clinics are part of our commitment to caring for our community. " said Ann Wilkerson, Clinic Manger, Facilities / Patient Care. "We are following the CDC recommendations and encouraging everyone in the Sauk-Prairie area to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

For More Information

• Swine Flu and You [a Q&A]
• Swine Flu For Parents [H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers]
• Cover, Wash, Clean [ways to keep from spreading disease]
• CDC [The US Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website on H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)]
• www.flu.gov One-stop access to U.S. Government H1N1, avian and pandemic flu information.
• Contact Us Prairie Clinic Office Hours and Phone Numbers