H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) Immunization: Update for Sept 22

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H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) Immunization:

Update for Sept 22

We now have news to report on the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)

immunization. Please note that this immunization program is

being designed by the US as an emergency program. We do

not order vaccine, the government distributes it. It will not be

available in the usual office appointment fashion, but more

as a special set of times once the facility that receives it has

it in hand. With all that in mind, here are the most recent facts:

• The immunization will come in nasal spray and shot form
• Children ages 10 and up need only one dose
• Children ages 6months through 9 years need 2 doses
• A regular flu shot and the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) can be given on the same day
• Not so for regular flu nasal spray and H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) vaccine
• The H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) vaccine is made in the same way as the regular flu
• This means it should have the same, excellent safety profile

At this time, we still do not know if the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) immunization

will be given via offices such as Advanced Pediatrics, or via schools.

We also should note that the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) infection is now in

Cleveland. So far, it remains a very mild infection, of very little concern

medically, except for pregnant women and the very ill.

Please stay tuned for further updates. Within the next few weeks, the final

distribution of the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) immunizations will be made and

we will know how many doses we will be given. No practice can purchase this

immunization, each will be assigned a fixed number.

Once that distribution is decided and we know how many doses Advanced

Pediatrics is to receive, we will know exactly how we will be offering

the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) immunization, and will let you know as well.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*

The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu): Update Sept. 13, 2009

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H1N1 Influenza (swine flu): Update Sept. 13, 2009

When will it return?

This influenza virus has its own schedule. It was in our community

earlier this year in the spring and earlier summer. Since then it has

left us for the Southern Hemisphere. Now this virus is going to come

back to Greater Cleveland. It is uncertain when it will come back

in full force, or how severe an illness it will be this time. Some

reports suggest that it is appearing on some college campuses.

But the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus is not widespread in our

community at this time.

This means if your child has a cold or flu-like illness, at this time,

it is highly unlikely to be from the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus.

How severe will it be this next time?

No one knows. The first round in the spring and early summer

was fairly mild. It has remained mild in the Summer Hemisphere.

Chances are good that it will remain mild on its return, but we will

not know until it is here.

With two exceptions: like all flu viruses, the very ill and very old

can get seriously ill from this virus, and one special group is at

particular risk: pregnant women.

What's new on the vaccine?

The good news is that the vaccine for H1N1 Influenza (swine flu)

virus is very closely related to the usual annual flu vaccine,

making the chance of unexpected side effects more remote.

Further, the vaccine gives adults protection within 10 days

(rather than the expected 3 weeks) and requires only 1 dose

(instead of the expected 2 doses).

As of this date, we have no such information regarding how

many doses children will need.

Who should get the vaccine?

At this point, the H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus

appears to cause only very mild illness in nearly all

healthy people who catch it. And so for healthy

children, unless the illness becomes more dangerous,

Advanced Pediatrics is not yet recommending

all children get the new H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus

vaccine.

It is very important that all pregnant women receive this

vaccine as soon as they can. Please contact your

obstetrician now to see how you can get this vaccine

ASAP.

If your child gets a cold, or flu-like illness, how

worried should you be about H1N1 Influenza

(swine flu)?

Please read this answer carefully, it is a very important

point:

Knowing how worried to be about Illnesses from the

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus is no different than

any other illness.

If you have a mild illness, there is nothing to be worried about

beyond managing the discomfort.

You only need to be worried if you have symptoms of

serious illness and these are:

1. Struggling to get air in and out of the chest

2. Severe pain

3. Stiff neck (i.e., cannot touch chin to chest)

4. Altered consciousness (unable to awaken to

normal alertness)

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus is like all other illnesses, if

you have mild fever, achiness, runny nose, or cough, it really

is a mild illness, even if H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) virus is causing

it.

Bottom Line:

It's not the name of the virus that determines how

concerned to be, but rather the severity of the illness.

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

The Most Reasonable Statement on Swine Flu to Date

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The Most Reasonable Statement on

H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) to Date

The New York Times has published an editorial

on how to approach the possibilities we face

in the H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) virus coming

back to us this fall and winter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/opinion/01tue1.html?_r=2&hp=&pagewanted=print

The key points they make and that I support are:

• The virus is likely to return
• It is likely to infect even more people than this summer
• The virus has not gotten stronger as it now travels the world
• The virus is likely to return now that schools are now open
• The vaccine will not be available until later this fall
• Therefore, the vaccine will likely not stop a fall epidemic
• If all indicators are right, when it comes back it will remain mild
• Medications are not recommended at this point
• Only if someone gets seriously ill would the medication help

Dr. Lavin

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.

Dr. Lavin on NPR's Morning Edition to Discuss HPV vaccine

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Dr. Lavin on NPR's Morning Edition to Discuss HPV vaccine

Tune in to your favorite NPR radio station Labor Day morning to

hear Dr. Lavin be interviewed by Ms. Brenda Wilson,

Science Desk Correspondent and Editor for National Public

Radio.

The segment is scheduled to run on the half hour sometime

between 6AM and 9AM on Monday, September 7, 2009 on

NPR's "Morning Edition," nationwide.

The topic of the interview is HPV immunization. Dr. Lavin

reviews the latest medical literature and the variety of concerns

that have recently been raised on this topic.

*Disclaimer*
The comments contained in this electronic source of information do not constitute and are not designed to imply that they constitute any form of individual medical advice. The information provided is purely for informational purposes only and not relevant to any person's particular medical condition or situation. If you have any medical concerns about yourself or your family please contact your physician immediately. In order to provide our patients the best uninfluenced information that science has to offer,we do not accept samples of drugs, advertising tchotchkes, money, food, or any item from outside vendors.