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What should I do if I have flu symptoms?
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Not all patients with suspected seasonal or H1N1 (Swine) flu need to be seen by a healthcare provider at The Everett Clinic. If there are no underlying chronic health conditions you can usually treat yourself or your child at home by getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids. You most likely do NOT need to see a healthcare provider if:
- You are age 5 to 65 years
- You have no chronic medical illness
- Your fever has lasted less than 4 days
- You are not having difficulty breathing
- You have no mental confusion or difficulty thinking
- Your skin color is normal
- You are not dizzy
- You are not vomiting
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When should I see a doctor?
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You or your child should see a healthcare provider for an evaluation if you are experiencing any of the following:
- You have a fever greater than 100-degrees that’s lasted more than 4 days (fevers may be intermittent)
- Your fever went away but has returned two or more days later
- You are coughing up mucus tinged with blood
- You have rattling chest sounds when taking a deep breath
- You are experiencing fainting spells, dizziness and/or severe dry mouth
- You are urinating less (or babies have less than 3 wet diapers per 24 hours)
- You are in a high risk group for complications from the flu:
- Pregnant women: pregnant patients, who are not in labor, should seek immediate or urgent care if influenza symptoms are present, rather than making an appointment at an OB office.
- People less than age 5 or more than age 65
- People with chronic medical illness
If you leave the house to seek medical attention, wear a facemask if available. A healthcare provider can determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. Antiviral drugs can treat those who are seriously ill.
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When should I call 911 or be seen at an emergency room?
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You or your child should seek emergency medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following:
- You have fast breathing or trouble breathing
- You are feeling pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- You have bluish or gray skin color
- You have severe or persistent vomiting
- You are not waking up or not interacting
- You have sudden dizziness
- You are unable to talk in full sentences
- You are confused
- Children who are so irritable that they do not want to be held
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Should I get a seasonal flu shot, an H1N1 (Swine) Flu both or both?
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes recommendations about who should get which shot. There are different target groups for Seasonal flu shots and Swine Flu shots. Seasonal flu and novel H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day if you fall into both categories. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine. The target groups for each are as follows:
Who should get a Seasonal Flu Shot
- Children aged 6 months to 18 years
- Pregnant women
- People 50 and older
- People with chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
- Healthcare and emergency services personnel
- People who want to reduce their chances of getting the flu
Who should get a Swine Flu (H1N1) Flu Shot
- Pregnant women
- People who have contact with children under 6 months old
- People 6 months to 24 years old
- People 25 to 64 years old with chronic health conditions
- Healthcare and emergency services personnel
- School teachers and childcare providers
FluMist vaccine (not a shot) will be available for both seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention. FluMist is an intranasal vaccine only approved for use in individuals 2-49 years of age. FluMist for seasonal flu and H1N1 may not be administered on the same day, since they are a live vaccine. FluMist is not intended for pregnant women or patients who have a history of airways disease including asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. FluMist is Thimerosol free.
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How many shots are required?
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A seasonal flu shot won't protect you from the H1N1 (swine) flu, and an H1N1 vaccine won't protect you from the seasonal flu.
For protection against seasonal flu:
- People age 10 years and older will need one dose
- Children age 9 and under will need two doses separated by at least 21 days, if this is their first time getting the seasonal flu shot
For protection against H1N1 (swine) flu:
- People age 10 years and older will need one dose of H1N1 vaccine
- Children age 9 and under will need two doses of H1N1 vaccine separated by at least 21 days
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I got the flu last spring during the H1N1 outbreak. Do I still need an H1N1 shot?
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The common test for flu (a rapid Influenza test) cannot determine the difference between H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. Neither can diagnoses based on symptoms alone. Unless you had specialized RT-PCR test (which can differentiate between flu viruses) you should get an H1N1 shot. Patients who did have a RT-PCR test that was positive for the novel H1N1 virus are probably immune and do not need to be vaccinated this year.
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When can I get my flu shot(s)?
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Seasonal flu shot clinics are now closed. Please contact your primary care physician's office for availabililty.
Pediatric flu shots will be administered in family medicine and pediatric offices. Call providers’ offices for appointments.
H1N1 Vaccination Clinics at The Everett Clinic will be dependent upon vaccine supply. H1N1 vaccine delivery to Snohomish County continues to be slow as demand far outpaces supply. Please keep checking The Everett Clinic website and Flu Hotline (425-257-1400.) We will update information as soon as we have vaccine on hand.
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Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?
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The manufacturing process for these vaccines is identical to that used for seasonal vaccines, which have a strong record of safety. The H1N1 vaccine tests have generally resulted in minor side-effects and reactions. Pain or tenderness at the injection site has been the most common adverse effect. Although concerns linger about the association of the 1976 swine influenza vaccine with the Guillain–Barré syndrome, the syndrome was rare, with approximately 1 case for every 100,000 persons vaccinated. The rate was even lower among persons under 25 years of age. Also, manufacturing processes have markedly improved since 1976.
For pregnant women, who may be especially concerned about safety, getting an H1N1 flu shot is highly recommended. Pregnant women have the highest risk of complications and death from the H1N1 infection. Newborns are also at high risk, but cannot receive an H1N1 shot since it is only available to babies 6 months or older. By getting an H1N1 vaccination, a pregnant woman can pass on protective antibodies to her baby while still in the womb and eventually to her newborn while breastfeeding. Pregnant women were included in clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine.
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Where can I get an H1N1 vaccination?
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H1N1 vaccination clinics at The Everett Clinic will be dependent upon vaccine supply. H1N1 vaccine delivery to Snohomish County continues to be slow as demand far outpaces supply. Please keep checking The Everett Clinic website and Flu Hotline (425-257-1400.) We will update information as soon as we have vaccine on hand.
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