H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine and Information Center

MetroSouth Medical Center is prepared to meet the needs of our community and our patients as the outbreak of H1N1 (swine) flu expands. We urge everyone to become knowledgeable about the H1N1 swine flu outbreak. The following information will help you to understand

• Where you can obtain the nasal vaccines
• Who should be vaccinated using the live, nasal form of the vaccine
• Who should NOT receive the live, nasal vaccine
• When to call your doctor if you experience flu-like symptoms
• Preventative measures to limit the spread of the H1N1 (swine) flu
• Common questions and answers regarding H1N1 (swine) flu

Nasal Vaccines Available through MetroSouth Medical Center

MetroSouth Medical Center (MSMC) has secured 4,000 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, more than most hospitals in the Chicagoland area, and is offering the vaccine at four locations. Clinic locations include:

• South Holland, 401 East 162nd St., Suite 207, South Holland, IL, 708-210-2001
• Morgan Park, 1701 W. Monterey (111th and Vincennes), Chicago IL, 773-298-9800
• Orland Park, 10745 W. 165th, Orland Park, IL, 708-364-5700
• Blue Island, 2310 York St #2A & #5A, Blue Island, IL (Doctors Pavilion), 708-489-7800 and 708-597-2000 ext. 4110.

Nasal vaccinations are available by appointment only, and the administration fee is $15. To make appointments, call the desired MetroSouth clinic location.

Who should be vaccinated using the live, nasal form of the vaccine?

The live H1N1 Vaccine, which is administered by a nasal spray, is approved for administration to the following groups

• Children older than age two and adults up to 24 years of age (According to the Centers for Disease Control, children 2 years through 9 years of age should get two doses of the vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose. )
• Adults 25 to 49 years of age who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical personnel

If you are moderately or severely ill, you might be advised to wait until you recover before getting the vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no need to wait.

Tell your doctor if you ever had:

• A life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of seasonal ?u vaccine or
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (a severe paralytic illness also called GBS)

Who should NOT receive the live, nasal form of the H1N1 vaccine

The H1N1 nasal spray vaccines should not be given to the following groups due to possible adverse reactions:

• Those who have a severe allergy to eggs
• Children younger than 2 and adults 50 years and older
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Anyone with a weakened immune system
• Anyone with a long-term health problem such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, lung disease such as asthma and anemia or other blood disorders
• Children younger than 5 with asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing during the past year
• Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems
• Anyone in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment, such as a bone marrow transplant unit)
• Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment

Note that pregnant women, children between 6 months and 2 years of age, and children and adults with chronic medical conditions can and should receive the injectable form of the vaccine.

In addition to the H1N1 vaccination, it is also important for high-risk individuals, including children, pregnant women, and adults with chronic medical conditions to receive the regular seasonal influenza immunization.

When to Call Your Doctor:

Common symptoms of H1N1 include fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing, sneezing and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting. People with flu-like symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with other people, unless they need to get medical care. It is safe to return to work or school once there has been no fever for more than 24 hours while not using fever-lowering medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Some people are more likely to get flu complications and should see their doctors if they get flu symptoms this season. Those individuals are:

• Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
• People 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have cancer, blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), chronic lung disease, including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis) and weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)

Even children and adults who have always been healthy before or have had the flu before can get a severe case. Call your doctor right away if you or your child has the following symptoms:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

How to Prevent H1N1 (swine) flu

Frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of airborne illnesses such as H1N1. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an acceptable substitute to hand washing. Cover your mouth by sneezing or coughing into your elbow or upper arm. Do not cough or sneeze into your hands, as this easily spreads germs. Doorknobs, telephones, counter tops and other frequently touched surfaces should be disinfected regularly to prevent spread of disease.

Q&A: H1N1 (swine) flu

What is 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)?

2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) 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, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway

Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.

Is the H1N1 flu contagious?

Yes, the virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. Spread of the H1N1 flu virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something wit h the virus on it and then touching their nose or mouth.

Injected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to others before you know you are sick.

Are their medicines to treat H1N1 flu?

Yes. The CDC recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza ( zanamivir) for the treatment of H1N1 flu viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fig ht against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, these medicines can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. Antiviral medicines work best if started soon after getting sick.

MetroSouth Medical Center physicians are available to help

MetroSouth Medical Center physicians have experience treating patients with H1N1 flu. Please consult your physician or contact a MetroSouth Medical Center family care physician through our hotline at 708-489-7925 if you are at risk for flu complications should you get the flu.

These individuals include:

• Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
• People 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have cancer, blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), chronic lung disease, including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis) and weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)

Additionally, call your doctor or a MetroSouth Medical Center physician at 708-489-7925 right away if you or your child has the following symptoms:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? In addition to getting the vaccination, as described above, there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses such as the flu. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, or cough/sneeze into your elbow or upper arm. Through 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 (such as Purell) are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with the H1N1 flu, you should refrain from contact with other people as much as possible.