The virus spreads from one person to another through sneezing, coughing and touching objects that are contaminated with the virus. The symptoms of swine flu can include fatigue, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing and sneezing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2009 H1N1 Influenza is very different from the seasonal flu and most people have little or no immunity or their bodies are not prepared to fight off the virus.
The 2009 H1N1 Vaccine can be administered through nasal spray, or through vaccine shots. Here are a few facts about the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine.
The live, attenuated intranasal vaccine is sprayed into the nose.
Who should get 2009 H1N1 Vaccine and when?
The nasal spray vaccine is approved for healthy people who fall into the following groups:
-are from 2 to 49 years of age
-are from 25 through 49 years of age and live with or are taking care of infants younger than six months old
-are health care or emergency medical personnel.
Other people who do not fall into the mentioned groups should get vaccinated through the flu shot.
When? You should get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines are available.
Who should not get the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine?
People who have a severe (life threatening) allergy to eggs, or any other substance in the vaccine should not get the swine flu vaccine.
You should also tell the medical staff if you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of seasonal flu vaccine, or had Guillain Barre’ Syndrome or a severe paralytic illness.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women can get the vaccine shot.
Reactions/risks from the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine
Like any medicine, some people could have a severe allergic reaction from the 2009 H1N1 vaccines but the risk of serious harm or death is extremely small, according to CDC.
You may experience mild problems like soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given, fainting (mainly in adolescents), headaches, nausea, fever, muscle aches.
Mariana Coats, CNMI Public Health Immunization Program manager earlier said that these symptoms can be felt a day or two after the vaccine had been administered. In rare cases, life-threatening allergic reactions to vaccines occur within a few minutes or few hours after the shot.
What to do in case of severe reaction
You should watch out for any unusual conditions and reactions after you get your 2009 H1N1 vaccine. If you experience any reactions like high fever, behavior changes, difficulty of breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat, you should immediately call a doctor.
Tell the doctor what happened and when the vaccination was given, and ask your provider to report the reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System form. This can be filed at the VAERS web site http://www.vaers.hhs.gov or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
Vaccine injury compensation
If you or a family member has a reaction to the vaccine, your ability to sue is limited by law, but a federal program has been created to help pay for medical care and other specific expenses of certain persons who have a serious reaction to this vaccine.
The first batch of 2009 H1N1 vaccines are available for pregnant women, and health and emergency care providers at the Commonwealth Health Center clinics and in all private clinics in the island by Nov. 3, 2009.
For more information, visit CDC at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, or contact the DPH at 670-234-8950 or email [email protected].
