FLU INFO: ATTENTION: AS OF TUESDAY NOVEMBER
10TH, 2009 WE HAVE OUR H1N1/SWINE FLU VACCINE FOR AGES 6 MONTHS
THROUGH 35 MONTHS OF AGE AND 4 YRS AND UP. THIS MEANS WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE
VACCINE FOR ANY CHILD BETWEEN THEIR 3RD AND 4TH BIRTHDAY. WE HAVE
A LIMITED SUPPLY OF THIS VACCINE IN AN INJECTABLE FORM ONLY. DUE TO THIS
SHORT SUPPLY PLEASE EMAIL MARY@TOPEKAPEDIATRICS.COM WITH YOUR CHILDREN'S
NAME, DATES OF BIRTH AND WE WILL EMAIL YOU BACK WITH A TIME TO GET THIS
VACCINE.
We
have received our Flumist, live intranasal flu vaccine spray and our injectable
Flu vaccine!
Flumist is now indicated for most children 2 years and up. Flumist works 60%
better than the injectable Flu vaccine. Every child 6 months and up should be
receiving a Flu vaccine. Children from 6 months - 2 years can only receive the
injectable Flu vaccine.
Parents may also receive the Flu vaccine at their child's appointment.
Please check on www.cdc.gov for the latest Swine Flu information.
We have registered as a Swine/H1N1 Flu vaccination site with KDHE and will be
immunizing as soon as the vaccine becomes available. We don't know it will be
available to us, we will be updating this site daily to let everyone know when
we have it. Please do not call the office as the webiste will be the first
place of notification.
Current Recommendations for Swine/H1N1 immunization include.:
1. All people 6 months through 24 years of age
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. All pregnant women
4. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
5. People aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with
higher risk of medical complications from influenza
We anticipate as the supply of the vaccine increases we will be able to
immunize people outside these priority groups.
Walk In Saturday Seasonal Flu clinics
Will be the first two Saturdays of every month. From 8-11 a.m.
NO
appointment necessary
We anticipate additional walk in clinics when we have Swine/H1N1 Flu vaccine
available
Additional Walk in times Monday -Friday from 8a-5p. We are closed from
12-1 for lunch.
If this is your first Flu shot or Flumist and you are less than 9 years of age
you will need a booster dose 30 days later.
Attention Parents: Flumist/Flu shot $35
We are happy to immunize you with either the Flumist (if healthy and under 49)
or the Flu shot. Please let the receptionist know you are interested and your
pediatrician will discuss this with you.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT TOPEKA PEDIATRICS OR YOUR PHYSICIAN.
For more information, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm
Flu 2009
FLU FACTS FOR 2009/2010 SEASON
1. What is flu?
Flu is a viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs). Every year seasonal flu appears in our community and kills more children than all the vaccine preventable diseases combined. There are many strains of the flu virus.
2. What are the symptoms of flu?
The main symptoms are fever (usually over 100.5 F) and cough, sore throat, runny nose. Other common symptoms are feeling tired, muscle aches and pains, headaches, drop in appetite and activity level, and some people have vomiting and diarrhea. The fever can last 3-5 days, the runny nose 1- 2 weeks and cough 2-3 weeks.
3. What is the difference between the flu and a cold?
Both flu and a cold can cause runny nose and cough; however fever is always present with the flu, the onset of symptoms is more abrupt and symptoms are more severe. The fever with the flu can last 3-5 days. Usually a fever (<100.5 F) with a cold will go away in a day or two.
4. What is H1N1 (Swine Flu)?
H1N1 is a new strain of flu that presented in the spring of 2009. Currently, this strain causes the same symptoms as the regular "seasonal" flu strains.
5. How is flu spread and how can I protect myself?
The flu virus (seasonal and H1N1) is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Covering your cough and sneezes, frequently washing your hands with soap and water, keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth, and avoiding contact with sick people are the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus. A person is contagious from 1 day prior to 7 days after the fever starts. After exposure, a person will likely come down with the seasonal flu in 1-3 days and the H1N1 flu in 4-6 days.
6. Who is "high risk"?
In general, people are mildly ill with the flu for 5-7 days and get better on their own; however for some people the flu virus can cause more severe illness. Complications can include pneumonia, respiratory distress, dehydration, Reye's syndrome, myositis (muscle pain) encephalitis (brain infection), myocarditis (heart infection), and in rare cases death.
Seasonal Flu - infants and children < 5 years of age and elderly > 65, and pregnant women are at higher risk for complications from the flu. Other high risk patients include those with heart problems, asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease, neurologic diseases, muscle diseases, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, cancer, immunosupression, HIV and diseases requiring long term aspirin therapy such as Rheumatoid arthritis or Kawasaki disease.
H1N1 - This strain appears to be affecting younger patients (< 24 years old ). In addition pregnant women, I infants and children < age 2 are more susceptible to it. Other high risk patients are the same as for seasonal flu.
7. Which children should get the flu vaccine? What about the H1N1 Vaccine?
Seasonal Flu vaccine - All children aged 6 mo-18 years
H1N1 Vaccine - When available children and young adults 6 months-24 years of age. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age should be vaccinated as well. Pregnant women, and children and adults who are considered high risk should receive the vaccine also.
8. How is flu treated? Do Antibiotics work?
Since the flu is a virus, antibiotics will not cure the flu or shorten the course of the illness, nor will they prevent the complications of the flu. Antibiotics are only used for patients who have secondary bacterial infections. Antiviral medications (i.e. Tamiflu, Relenza, Amantadine, Rimantadine) are indicated for treatment and prevention of flu in HIGH-RISK patients only. (see above.) For best results, it needs to be started within 48 hours of the onset of fever. These medicines are not used for everyone because they can have side effects, and overuse of them will cause resistance. Some resistance to H1N1 has already been reported. Symptomatic treatment - push fluids, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for fever and aches/pains for 6 months and older. Cold medications are not recommended. Use of saline (salt water - ½ tsp salt in 8 oz water) nasal wash and suction may help. For children over age 5, throat lozenges may be used.
9. When should my child be seen?
Most children will tolerate the flu very well. However, your child should be seen if your child has the following symptoms:
All HIGH-RISK patients who have symptoms of flu should be seen. Fever > 100.5 if < 3 months of age; Acting ill with fever at any age; Fever > 105 when less than 3 years old; Fever that goes away over 24 hours and then returns; Ear pain or ear discharge; Fast or difficult breathing; Severe cough or wheezing; Cough lasting more than 3 weeks
10. When can my child return to day care or school?
Stay home from day care, school, or work for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FLU www.cdc.gov/flu
ATTENTION: AS OF TUESDAY NOVEMBER
10TH, 2009 WE HAVE OUR H1N1/SWINE FLU VACCINE FOR AGES 6 MONTHS
THROUGH 35 MONTHS OF AGE AND 4 YRS AND UP. THIS MEANS WE DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE
VACCINE FOR ANY CHILD BETWEEN THEIR 3RD AND 4TH BIRTHDAY. WE HAVE
A LIMITED SUPPLY OF THIS VACCINE IN AN INJECTABLE FORM ONLY. DUE TO THIS
SHORT SUPPLY PLEASE EMAIL MARY@TOPEKAPEDIATRICS.COM WITH YOUR CHILDREN'S
NAME, DATES OF BIRTH AND WE WILL EMAIL YOU BACK WITH A TIME TO GET THIS
VACCINE.
