Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal flu and include a fever of greater than 99.9 degrees (the fever can be very high) with any of the following symptoms: cough, headache, runny/stuffy nose, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, sore throat, sneezing, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
According to the CDC, those experiencing the highest morbidity and mortality with H1N1 flu are children and young adults. Pregnant women (particularly those in the third trimester) and infants are at a very high risk of influenza related complications. Please be aware that the H1N1 flu does not directly affect an unborn child.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please contact your Primary Care Provider for recommendations and treatment – your PCP should be able to call in anti-viral medications (such as Tamiflu) We ask that you refrain from being seen in our office if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or are being treated for the flu due to the unique immune and high risk status of our particular patient population. Should a patient arrive at our office with flu-like symptoms, they will be asked to notify a front desk staff member immediately so that the appointment can be rescheduled.
We encourage all patients to be vaccinated for the seasonal flu as soon as possible, and for the H1N1 (swine) flu if you are in one of the high risk categories (pregnant, immediately postpartum and post-operative) as soon as the vaccine is available. Our office will be administering the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available according to the CDC guidelines. There have been delays in the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine; however, the Health Department may have the vaccine in limited supplies.
You can find more information about the H1N1 flu at the following websites:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DiseasePrevention/H1N1/index.htm
http://www.acog.org/departments/resourceCenter/2009H1N1FactSheet.pdf