Flu Update

My previous statement that this flu season was going to be challenging was an understatement.

We have been informed by the supplier of out injectable seasonal flu vaccine that they are suspending delivery of this vaccine, at the request of the government, to maximize delivery of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine.

Due to this we have had to reschedule our late October flu clinics and suspended new appointments for injectable seasonal flu vaccine. The supplier estimated delivery of the vaccine the second week in Novermber which should still give time for vaccination before the December to February seasonal flu season.

We do have seasonal Nasal vaccine available and this will be used preferentially for children 2 yrs and above since infants and young toddlers can ONLY receive the injectable vaccine.

We have applied for H1N1 vaccine and should receive doses from the Ohio Department of Health in the next 2-4 weeks. The data on the vaccine to date shows that it is as well tolerated as seasonal flu vaccine so that if your child has received and tolerated seasonal flu vaccine they should tolerate H1N1 equally well.

Woman who are pregnant, Family members with an infant below 6 months in the house, Children with underlying medical problems such as Asthma, Heart conditions, Diabetes or children with suppressed immune systems are at highest risk for severe disease and should CERTAINLY get the vaccine.

Even healthy children are having a more difficult season due to H1N1 with over 60 deaths reported to date, more than is typically seen with a seasonal flu season. I do plan on having my 5 and 7 year old vaccinated and I will be getting the vaccines (seasonal and H1N1) due to my exposure.

Until resumption of seasonal flu vaccine delivery and distribution of the H1N1 vaccine there are limited options for vaccination. Patients with Caresource or Ohio Medicaid insurance should contact the Cuyahoga Department of Health. Families with other insurance may also contact Cuyahoga County DOH but may not be scheduled depending on availability of vaccine. Walgreens does have some limited availability but only for adolescents above 14yrs. CVS minute clinic has not vaccine available.

Up to date information can be accessed at cdc.gov and odh.ohio.gov or by calling your local health department or the state flu line at 1 866 800 1404

Hope this helps.

Dr. V

Flu vaccine and Flu season

This Influenza season is gearing up to be a very complicated one. As you have seen there have been numerous stories about H1N1 (swine) Flu addressing everything from its transmission to treatment to prevention. More about H1N1 in a moment.

Seasonal flu vaccine, both nasal spray and injection, should be available in mid-September and we have already scheduled flu clinics in the office from late September through November. Patients may also get vaccinated for flu at regularly scheduled well visits, sick visits or by calling and setting up a nurse appointment. As usual the office will send out an email with all dates and indications for those recommended to receive the vaccine.

While we encourage those recommended to receive their seasonal flu vaccine this will NOT protect against H1N1 (swine) flu.

There is currently a vaccine under trial to prevent infection with H1N1 influenza. Estimates are for the vaccine to be available in mid-October to November. Just released recommendations for receiving the vaccine are 1: Pregnant Women 2: Household contacts of children aged less than 6 mo during the flu season 3: Medical Personnel 4: Infants and children aged 6 mo to 18yrs 5: Persons with high risk medical conditions.

We don't yet know how effective the vaccine will be, what its side effects will be or how much of the vaccine will be available. As these questions are answered we will send out an email.

In the meantime continue to encourage your children to wash their hands frequently, keep them away from school if ill, keep them away from other ill children and call the office should they have the sudden onset of high fever, chills and malaise.

Dr. V

H1N1 Flu Update

It seems to us that folks are overreacting just a bit to the new flu strain. We suggest calm. Please keep in mind that 36,000 Americans die from the flu every year. Yet we don't close schools all winter or avoid public transportation or walk around with masks on. There is NO evidence that this new flu strain is any more serious than other flu strains. In this case, different doesn't mean worse. It just means...different. New flu strains appear all the time. The H1N1 strain is simply a part of this process.
Stay tuned for more as we learn more. I'm going to the mall.

Swine Flu Outbreak

I am sure you have been reading online and seeing television stories about the current "swine flu" outbreak that began in Mexico and now is affecting the United States and Europe. This morning brought a report that a case has been reported in Elyria, just west of us. So far, all cases in the U.S. have been in people with contact in Mexico.
We would like to reassure our families and suggest remaining calm. While "swine flu" sounds scary and makes for great headlines, the fact is that the number of reported cases in the U.S. is still small and those affected have had mild courses of the illness.
By way of review, swine flu is a strain of influenza that comes about by influenza viruses from pigs and humans combining. The current swine flu also contains some elements from the strain found in birds. This combination happens all the time. It is only when the combination results in a strain very different from human strains that rapid spread can occur. It does NOT mean that the illness is more severe than standard influenza.
The symptoms are the same as those for standard flu: high fever, severe cough, muscle aches, sore throat, and headache. This is NOT a "stomach flu" with vomiting and diarrhea. If you have minor runny nose, congestion, and mild cough you do NOT have the swine flu. The incubation period is about 48 hours, meaning symptoms appear within 48 hours of exposure. The illness usually begins suddenly and lasts about 7-10 days.
Prevention is the key. Please continue to use the same sanitary precautions we recommend during cold and flu season all winter

• WASH HANDS!!
• Avoid close contact with people with obvious respiratory symptoms
• Have your children change clothes after school

The influenza vaccine (flu shot or FluMist) that your child received last fall does NOT protect against this new strain. If your child or any close family member develops the symptoms described above, please contact our office, as treatments are available to limit the severity and duration of the illness.

It's Cold and Flu Season!!

Well, it's January and it's cold. That must mean that lots of kids have runny noses, coughs, and fevers. Cold and flu season can be tough on kids and parents. The truth is, there is really no way to avoid it. The average child gets 8-12 viral illnesses each year and these tend to be clustered in the winter months. Having said that, here are a few tips for making the best of it:

• Wash hands. We can't say it enough. It makes a huge difference. Frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer will cut down on virus transmission in families and in school. Send a small bottle to school with your child and encourage him/her to use it!
• Wipe down grocery carts and other common items in stores and malls before using them. There are viruses all over them.
• Use zinc. Zinc lozenges and nasal swabs have been shown to decrease the duration and severity of the common cold in adults. Although the data is not there for children, our experience is that it does work. The downside is that they have to be used 5-6 times per day and started at the first sign of cold symptoms. Zicam and Cold-Eeze are common brand names for zinc products and are available in the cold remedy aisle.
• Avoid cough and cold medications. They don't work. They cause side effects. Enough said.
• Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep weakens your immune system. Go to bed.
• Exercise. Exercise decreases the likelihood of getting colds.

When to call:

• Cold symptoms lasting more than 14 consecutive days.
• Fever lasting more than 5 days.
• Poor urine output.
• Fever and sore throat together. Could be strep.