H1NI flu vaccine information
Many patients are asking about the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine.
Currently H1N1 is behaving much like seasonal influenza in terms of the severity of illness with the significant difference that H1N1 is more likely than seasonal influenza to cause serious disease in children and young adults. Pregnant women are also at high risk for influenza-related complications.
We at Harbour Woman’s Health are recommending H1N1 vaccination to all our pregnant patients. We also recommend the seasonal flu vaccine.
The vaccine that we recommend has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and will be offered and administered by Harbour Women’s Health to our obstetrical patients as soon as it is available to us.
The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H1N1, you need both vaccines.
Most people with H1N1 infection have fever, chills, upper respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, and runny nose), headaches, muscle joint aches and fatigue. Some people may also develop vomiting and diarrhea. Severe illness is primarily a viral pneumonia that rapidly progresses.
Specific testing is required to diagnose H1N1 flu and should be preformed by trained personnel, often in the emergency room.
Anti-viral treatment is available. Treatment is recommended within 48 hours of symptom onset for persons with probable or confirmed H1N1 who are at high risk for influenza-related complications. This includes pregnant women. The current treatment recommendation for pregnant women is oseltamivir (first choice) and zanamivir. These medications are Pregnancy Category C medications. We believe that the benefit of treatment outweighs any potential risk. Prophylactic treatment (pre-treatment) is recommended for pregnant women who are in close contact with suspected, probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza.
Please contact this office or your Primary Care Provider if you have specific questions or concerns related to the H1N1 flu, the vaccine or recommended treatment.