Separating flu facts from fiction

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Nineteen-month-old Grace cries after being given a flu shot by Grundy County Health Department Director Kay Lynn Shoemaker as her mother, Chasity Misener, consoles her at the Grundy County Administration Center Thursday. Grace only cried for a few moments and was calm after Misener received a shot as well. “It’s mommy’s turn now,” she assured Grace. Misener said she came for the shots because she’s heard a lot about kids getting sick and being misdiagnosed. (Herald Photo by Adam Nekola)

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Rumors are rampant about seasonal and H1N1 flu and vaccines, notes Director Kay Lynn Shoemaker, R.N., of the Grundy County Health Department.

Like, people can get sick from the flu vaccine, and that the H1N1 vaccine contains harmful chemicals.

Nonsense, Shoemaker says.

“They don’t get sick from a flu shot because it’s not live vaccine," she stresses. "They get sick because they’d already been exposed to the flu. It takes 10 to 14 days for antibodies to build up in the body from the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.”

There’s only a trace of thimerosal preservative – which contains ethyl mercury – in multi-dose vials of H1N1 vaccine. Single dose vials and the nasal spray version do not contain the preservative, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga.

“There’s always people who are concerned,” Shoemaker noted. “But, this (H1N1) vaccine has been tested, and tested, like any other. I haven’t heard of anyone getting sick.”

An unfounded report claims a short supply of H1N1 vaccine.

“No truth there,” Shoemaker said. “It’s just that production of the vaccine is slower than anticipated. The vaccine is made with chicken eggs, and you can’t rush eggs. It’s antiquated, but they haven’t found a different way to produce it yet.”

Also untrue is that two shots are required for H1N1 immunization.

“Only children under the age of 9 have to have a second, booster shot,” she said.

People cannot contract the H1N1 virus by consuming pork products.

“You can’t get swine flu from eating pork,” she said. “You get it from contact with other sick people. As we say every year with the seasonal flu, if you are sick, stay home.”

It is true that H1N1 activity is widespread in Illinois, including Grundy County. A number of patients at Morris Hospital have exhibited H1N1-like symptoms, but there have been very few confirmed cases at the facility within the past several weeks.

There is no H1N1 pandemic or epidemic at this time, says Dr. John Bolden, the hospital’s infectious disease specialist. The current outbreak is not equal to, nor even near, the great flu epidemic that swept across the nation in 1918.

Twenty H1N1 deaths have been reported statewide. At this time, Illinois is only tracking the progress of H1N1 flu. Incidents of seasonal flu occur more toward the winter months in December and January.

“President Obama has recommended a state of emergency, but I think it’s so everyone will be prepared when people become ill,” Dr. Bolden said. “Also, to raise awareness of the disease process.”

Visits to physicians are currently higher than at the seasonal flu peak, Shoemaker noted. Unlike seasonal flu, however, the H1N1 flu did not taper off during the summer.

“The H1N1 flu really hasn’t stopped since last year,” she said. “And yes, people definitely should seriously consider H1N1 immunization. H1N1 has been very hard on pregnant women, with more than 78 deaths reported across the nation this year.”

Priority groups for H1N1 vaccine include caretakers of infants under 6 months of age,  children six months to 24 years old, health care workers, first responders, and those in the 25 to 64-year age group with underlying health problems like heart conditions, asthma, and diabetes.

There have been several H1N1 flu epidemics in the past, including 1957 and the late 1970s.

“The H1N1 epidemic in 1957 affected infants,” said Shoemaker. “Which is why we think older people today are more immune to it, and why it’s hitting younger people with underlying health conditions instead.”

The older generation was possibly exposed to a companion of the current H1N1, so today’s virus is not novel to their systems like it would be on an initial exposure.

“That’s the reason they have more immunity than the younger population that’s not been exposed to this virus,” Dr. Bolden said. “Another theory is the younger immune system is not as mature, obviously, as in the older adult.”

The length of time those who contract the H1N1 virus are sick depends on the individual and any underlying health condition. The average is about seven days.

“Those who have had H1N1 say they’ve been very, very sick with fever, sore throat, possibly diarrhea, and general discomfort. For those with underlying health conditions, the H1N1 flu could possibly be life-threatening,” Shoemaker said.

Symptoms caused by the seasonal and H1N1 viruses are quite similar, and can include fever, coughing, sore throat, generalized muscle and body aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The difference between the viruses is detected by means of a nasal swab.

The state of Illinois will accept only H1N1 viral tests done on hospitalized patients, however. No other settings, such as emergency rooms or health clinics, are accepted by the state under CDC guidelines.

A mild case can be treated with rest, isolation, plenty of fluids, and Tylenol.

“If this doesn’t help, then call your physician, especially if the person doesn’t get better within 24 hours,” Dr. Bolden said. “For the more severe cases we tend to see in the hospital, we recommend anti-viral and Tamiflu, twice daily for five days only. An antibiotic may also be given hospital patients only at the discretion of their physician.”

The caveat is, the ill person must see their doctor within 48 hours to be eligible for these medications. The medications have no effect if the 48-hour period has expired.

The County Health Department will continue its H1N1 clinics as more vaccine arrives, but is out of seasonal flu shots since the final clinic a week ago. However, seasonal flu shots are available at many locations, like Walgreen’s and Jewel-Osco in Morris.

“There was a definite increase in child vaccines given,” Shoemaker said of the clinics. “Our numbers were down for adults, because they can get flu shots almost anywhere anymore, and it’s just as safe as going to a clinic or doctor.”

Dr. Bolden stresses preventative measures. The big emphasis is hand hygiene – thorough hand washing when coming inside from outdoors, and staying away as much as possible from someone with flu.

Cover the nose and mouth with tissue when coughing and sneezing, or cough into the sleeve. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with the hands.

 

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