What's all the hubbub over H1N1 flu?

  • Published
  • By By Lt. Col. Fred Kelsey
  • 60th AEROSPACE MEDICINE SQUADRON Public Health Flight
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Over the past few months, we've been inundated with news reports and information about the H1N1 flu.  For most people who've been infected, it has been a relatively mild upper respiratory illness lasting four to seven days.  So, you might ask, why are we starting to see even more information about this particular disease as fall approaches?

Like "seasonal influenza," or what you might think of as the "regular" flu, H1N1 influenza is caused by a virus.  Influenza viruses have the capability of mutating very quickly.  These mutations can change the disease characteristics of a virus from mild to severe with high death rates.

Every year, seasonal flu viruses change slightly.  However, because H1N1 is a new strain, health experts are unsure what type of changes it may make as we enter this winter's flu season.  Additionally, this new H1N1 virus is so different that health experts don't think the general population is protected against it.

Added to this is the fact influenza is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza.  This spread can be very rapid and is very difficult to control when people are in close contact with others.

For this flu season, Team Travis will have to deal with the regular flu along with the new H1N1 variety.  Therefore, we all need to take steps to ensure we protect ourselves against seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 virus.

David Grant USAF Medical Center has begun receiving the first shipments of H1N1 vaccine alongside our supplies of seasonal flu vaccine.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting your seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it's available and not waiting until they are both available.

In accordance with previously announced Department of Defense policy, all military personnel on active duty or reservists activated for service will be vaccinated.  Initial vaccinations for military members are already concentrating on those deployed downrange, large training venues, personnel aboard ships and healthcare workers.

Military dependents will receive the H1N1 vaccine under a separate distribution program managed by the Department of Health and Human Services through supplies allocated to states based on population data.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the following priorities for targeted groups that should receive the H1N1 vaccine. They include:

· Pregnant women
· People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
· Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
· Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
· People ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

Being in one of these target groups means you should receive the vaccine.  However, if someone is not in a target group and wishes to receive the vaccine -- and the vaccine is available -- they should receive it.

It's always important to remember the following everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, especially after coughing or sneezing.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you become ill, you should follow these guidelines:

· Active duty members who are ill should contact their supervisors and the DGMC Flu hotlines at (707) 816-5555 or 424-H1N1 (424-4161).
· Limit your contact with other people as much as possible.
· If you are mildly ill, you should stay at home. Do not go to work or school.
· Cover your mouth and nose, preferably with a tissue, when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then clean your hands and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
· Do not share objects like remote controls and pens.
· Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched like door knobs, remote controls, light switches and toilet handles.
· If someone in your household is sick, it is very important to disinfect surfaces and clean hands frequently.

For more information, visit www.dod.mil/pandemicflu, www.af.mil/h1n1/index.asp, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or call the DGMC flu hotlines at 424-H1N1 (424-4161) or 816-5555 for the latest medical advice.