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H1N1
With school
starting up again it’s important to be more ready to prevent the
swine flu. The Health Department estimates that 30 percent of
Minnesotans -- about 1.5 million people -- may become infected by
H1N1 as multiple waves of the pandemic move through the state over
the next year or two. Of those, the agency says anywhere from 3,600
to nearly 33,000 could end in fatality. Pregnant women and young
children should go to the front of the line when vaccine for the
novel influenza A (H1N1) virus becomes available in the fall,
according to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP). Patient’s ages 5 to 24 years have the highest incidence of
infection, and children from birth to 4 years of age have the
highest rate of hospitalization. "Children under 6 months are not
able to be vaccinated directly," said Anne Schuchat, M.D., director
of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory
Diseases. "And because they can't be directly protected, the public
health strategy is to protect those around them to keep from
spreading the virus to them." The CDC said it does not anticipate a
shortage of H1N1 vaccine, but in the event that vaccine supply is
limited, ACIP members recommend that the following groups receive
the vaccine before others:
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Pregnant women
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People who live with or
care for children younger than 6 months of age
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Health care and
emergency services personnel with direct patient contact
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Children 6 months to 4
years of age
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Children 5 to 18 years
who have chronic medical conditions
Until the vaccine
comes out, and even after you receive it there are still effective
ways to prevent infection and limit its spread. Cover your mouth and
nose with a tissue when you are coughing or sneezing. It can help
protect others around you, but don’t just cover your cough and then
shake someone’s hand. Always wash your hands and even carry some
hand sanitizer around. Teach your children how to thoroughly wash
their hands too. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
because this is the way the virus can enter your body. Be sure to
avoid close contact with people who are sick, and if you are sick to
keep your distance from others. If you feel sick, stay home. Don’t
go to work, run errands, or send a sick child to school. To help you
identify a possible infection, the symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus
in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include
fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who
have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported
diarrhea and vomiting. With seasonal flu, people may be contagious
from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they
get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially
be contagious for longer periods. People infected with the novel
H1N1 are likely to have similar patterns of infectiousness as with
seasonal flu. By taking these measures you will be best prepared to
prevent yourself and your family from becoming infected with the
swine flu this fall.
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