Barb's Daily Dose

Swine Flu Update - It's Still Out There

Last year at this time, the H1N1 virus began wreaking havoc in our lives, starting a trend toward more handwashing and vaccination.

Here's where we stand.  Right now, the H1N1 virus is still out there.  People are still getting sick and being hospitalized, even dying but the numbers are thankfully low. There has been a slight increase in H1N1 cases in the South over the last month, which will need to be watched carefully.

Why H1N1 Might be More Deadly for Some People

Interluekin 17??

This sounds like a lake in Switzerland, but may actually be the key to solving a mystery.  Why is it that some people get sicker from H1N1 and others have a mild case?

Scientists in Spain and Canada may have made a breakthrough discovery about why some people develop severe pneumonia and more deadly complications from H1N1 and other flu, while others don't.  We've seen some people become very sick, very fast with H1N1.  It's been puzzling virologists and clinicians for a while.  A while back, I spoke to Dr. Gary Richwald, a noted virologist from UCLA, who works for the WHO, World Health Organization, who said that there seemed to be a "storm of inflammation" that occurs in some people, but not in others. This causes almost a massive immune response that overwhelms the person, who develops pneumonia and has a higher risk of death. 

Excellent Question Regarding Swine Flu

A question was posed to me from a mom who was sent a link to my segment on a local ABC channel. She believes it was from a parent at her son's school.  Here is her question:

QUESTION:

I have a question about siblings of a swine flu patient.  Should they be staying home from school if they don't have symptoms?  My daughter is 4 and was diagnosed yesterday at the doctor's office as being positive for flu A.  My 6 year old son's school does not want him to come to school for 5 days after she is free of fever.  I can not find that guidance on the CDC or the SCCGOV.ORG.  Do you have anything to show when a sibling should (or shouldn't) go to school? 

H1N1 101: What you Need to Know

More of what you need to know about H1N1 and the new vaccines to keep your family healthy from Nurse Barbara Dehn.  Please click here to view Nurse Barb on television's "View By The Bay".

Flu-Free Flying

12 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick When You Fly

 

Our Featured Guest Writer Today Is:  Melanie Haiken,  Senior Editor of Caring.com

 

Does every single airline trip you take seem to end with a case of the sniffles, or worse, with a full-on case of the flu? If you're starting to feel just a tad paranoid about picking up a nasty virus when you fly, you're not alone. It's a common perception that airline cabins are happy incubators for cold and flu germs.

 

Is it true, though? Researchers are still debating the issue. But a Canadian study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Research in 2004 reviewed passenger health histories after a five-hour flight between San Francisco and Denver and found passengers were 113 times more likely to have caught a cold during the flight than during normal daily life.

More on Swine Flu

I am once again taking another opportunity to talk about Swine flu.  Everyone, including me has “Swine Flu Paranoia” - especially when we hear someone cough or sneeze.  The situation is evolving so quickly that nearly everyone has questions and is confused.

Here Are a Few Key Points:

• Right now, the only flu that is going around the US is the Swine Flu
• Unfortunately, the number of serious cases is increasing
• Pregnant women and young children are at highest risk - 95 deaths so far and it's just starting
• The H1N1 (swine) flu is more deadly than the regular flu
• I can review prevention
• I can also review what to do if a person thinks they have the flu - call your health care provider, don't travel, and don't go to school 

H1N1 101: What You Need to Know

What you need to know about H1N1 and the new vaccines to keep your family healthy from Nurse Barbara Dehn.  Click here to view the video clip.

FIVE Top Questions About the Swine Flu Vaccine

I've been inundated with questions about the swine flu.  Here's the questions I'm hearing all the time:

What Flu Vaccines are Available Now?

Right now there is a Flu Mist - this is a nasal spray that protects against H1N1 (swine flu). 

The Flu Mist is for: 

• People 2 - 49 who DO NOT have any underlying health problems
• Health Care Workers, and
• People who care for or work with infants & small children

Who Needs the H1N1 Flu Vaccine?

Here you go,  straight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here is who needs the H1N1 (Swine flu) vaccine:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or provide care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• People between six months through 24 years of age
• People from the ages of 25 through 64 who are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders such as:  asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.

These groups total approximately 159 million people in the United States.

Swine Flu (H1N1) & Breastfeeding

I was interviewed the other day on Breastfeeding and the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu.  There’s so much that moms need to know as the flu season approaches.

1. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s ok to get the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available.
2. If you’re pregnant, it’s recommended that you get the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Because our immune systems change in pregnancy, women who are pregnant are much more likely to become seriously ill with H1N1.
3. Moms who are sick with the flu need to wash their hands frequently, try to wear a mask while caring for their babies.