2009 H1N1 INTRANASAL FLU VACCINE!!

A limited number of H1N1 Intranasal Flu Vaccines are Here!!

FLU VACCINE HOURS

M/T/W/F 9-1 2-6    Th 2-6
No appointment necessary.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

ENTER THROUGH THE PEDIATRIC DOOR

Only 250 Doses of H1N1 Vaccine

The Novel H1N1 flu vaccine is here. We only have 250 H1N1 live, intranasal influenza vaccines at this time.  An administration fee will be billed to your insurance if you are a VFP patient and is $15 for the public. You can drop in to get the vaccine – see our flu vaccine hours above.  It is available on a first come, first served basis only.

Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccines

Live, intranasal influenza vaccine is recommended for healthy, non-pregnant individuals aged 2-49 years old.  You should not get it if you have any chronic medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes or a weakened immune system (see below).

Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 LAIV 

 FIRST are healthy people who are:

 2 through 24 years old or

 25 through 49 years old and

• Live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age – parents, siblings, daycare providers, grandparents
• Are health care or emergency medical personnel
• Live with or care for persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from flu (asthma, diabetes, heart condition, etc.)

Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine about a month apart.  Older children and adults need only one dose.  

As more vaccine becomes available, other healthy 25 through 49 year olds should also be vaccinated.  We expect H1N1 flu shots in the next few weeks.  H1N1 flu shots are injections of non-live virus vaccine and recommended for everyone else, including pregnant women, children under age of 2 and those with medical conditions that cannot get the nasal vaccine.  We will send another email when these arrive.

Who Should Not Get H1N1 Intranasal Vaccine

You should not get it if you are/have:

• pregnant
• under 2 years old
• a severe allergy to eggs
• a weakened immune system
• long-term health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney or liver disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, anemia and other blood disorders
• younger than 5 years old with asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing during the past year
• certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems
• in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment, such as a bone marrow transplant unit)
•  child or adolescent on long-term aspirin treatment

Website Flu Page

Reminder, if you do get sick with a fever and a cough or other flu-like symptoms this season, you may find helfpful information on our website flu page.

Happy Brithday to my Luca (2 years old)!! 

At Vails Family Practice, our whole purpose is to take care of you – to provide comprehensive, personal health care to you and your families.  I am grateful to continue to care for

you and your families.  

Remember we grew from just one patient and your referrals will allow us to thrive during tough economic times.  Please consider forwarding this email to a friend or family member.

Sincerely,

Julie Vails, MD

Vails Family Practice 

2009 H1N1 & Seasonal Influenza Seminar

+ Evening Flu Shot Clinic!!

Seasonal Flu Shots are Here!!

FLU SHOT HOURS 

M/T/W/F 9-1 2-6    Th 2-6
No appointment necessary.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

ENTER THROUGH THE PEDIATRIC DOOR

Two Vaccines?? 

We anticipate providing both the regular flu (seasonal influenza) and the H1N1 flu vaccines this year. The regular flu vaccine is here and ready to go. It will be billed to your insurance if you are a VFP patient and is $25 for the public. You can drop in to get the vaccines. 

The H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in mid-October.  Cost is not yet determined but likely to be around $15 for the public.

H1N1 INFLUENZA is different from the regular flu. It is affecting a very different group of people than the regular flu!!  Studies suggest that vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccine will NOT provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, therefore most people will need two separate & different vaccines this year.

Confused?  Not sure if you should get the flu shots?  Who is at highest risk for complications?

H1N1 virus would likely infect 30 to 50 percent of the U.S. population this fall and winter, with symptoms occurring in approximately 20 to 40 percent, or 60 to 120 million people with as many as 1.8 million hospital admissions, and cause between 30,000 and 90,000 deaths in the United States, primarily among children and young adults.  So far in California 1,528 people have had confirmed H1N1 and 128 people have died.

In anticipation of your many questions, I will be hosting a free seminar at our office on this topic Thursday, October 1st from 6 pm to 7 pm.  I will discuss the latest information about these vaccines including how flu vaccines work, why we need two vaccines this year, and who is at highest risk for complications this year.  I will explain why some people believe the flu shot gave them the flu and why it is important to get vaccinated even if you never get the flu.  I will also talk about how to take care of your family if someone gets flu-like symptoms at home, when to return to school or work, and who should get anti-flu medications.  Childcare will be provided.  Please register for this event and feel free to bring a friend or colleague. 

This seminar will be followed by an Evening Flu Shot Clinic from 7 pm to 8 pm for those who desire the seasonal flu shot.  (Registration appreciated.)  

Please consider joining us for this special event as I simply won’t have enough time to discuss these topics with each individual family at office visits or over the phone.  If you cannot make it, let me know that you would be interested at another time and we will consider another event.

Website Flu Page  

Finally, if you do get sick with a fever and a cough, get some helpful information on our website flu page.

 And, of course, here’s my Luca (21 months).  

At Vails Family Practice, our whole purpose is to take care of you – to provide comprehensive, personal health care to you and your families.  I am grateful to continue to care for you and your families. 

Remember we grew from just one patient and your referrals will allow us to thrive during tough economic times.  Please consider forwarding this email to a friend or family member.

Sincerely,

Julie Vails, MD

Vails Family Practice

FLU SHOT HOURS: M/T/W/F 9-1 2-6 Th 2-6

No appointment necessary.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – ENTER THROUGH THE PEDIATRIC DOOR

Studies suggest that vaccination with season influenza vaccine will NOT provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.

We will be providing both the regular flu (seasonal influenza) and the H1N1 flu vaccines. The regular flu vaccine is here and ready to go. It will be billed to your insurance if you are a VFP patient and is $25 for the public. You can drop in to get the vaccines.

H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in mid-October. Everyone will likely need two shots, three to four weeks apart. Cost is not yet determined.

H1N1 INFLUENZA is different from the regular flu. It is affecting a very different group of people than the regular flu!!

H1N1 virus would likely infect 30 to 50 percent of the U.S. population this fall and winter, with symptoms occurring in approximately 20 to 40 percent, or 60 to 120 million people with as many as 1.8 million hospital admissions, and cause between 30,000 and 90,000 deaths in the United States, primarily among children and young adults.

So far in California 1,528 people have had confirmed H1N1 and 128 people have died.

WHO IS AT HIGHEST RISK?

• Pregnant women are very high risk.
• Children newborn to 4 years old are being hospitalized the most.
• School aged children have the most number of confirmed H1N1.
• More school aged children have been hospitalized in four months this year (April to July) than the total number of people age 5-49 that are usually hospitalized in an entire year from regular flu.
• 70% of hospitalized people have an underlying medical condition that makes them high risk such as diabetes, asthma, pregnancy, heart conditions.
• Older adults are less likely to get H1N1.

WHO SHOULD DEFINITELY GET THE VACCINE?

• Pregnant women
• People aged 6 months to 24 years of age
• People who live with and care for children under 6 months of age – parents, siblings and daycare providers, grandparents.
• People aged 25 to 64 who have medical risks (asthma, diabetes, heart conditions)
• Health-care and emergency medical services personnel
• Anyone who wants to after those above are vaccinated

ARE YOU SICK WITH FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS??

This information is current as of 9/1/09, and is meant to be used as a general guideline. It should not replace your good judgment and is not intended to take the place of a personalized doctor’s appointment. Please call the office if you are a patient (or your doctor) to make an appointment or to speak with the provider if you are unsure if you should to be seen.

If you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms such as cough, sneezing or runny nose when you come in for your appointment, please immediately come to the front desk and ask for a mask and wear it through the duration of your visit. We do not want you to wait in line to get the mask.

** Right now, only pregnant women with fever and cough and hospitalized patients are likely to be treated with flu medications. This recommendation may change. **

H1N1 Symptoms (Similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu)

Age less than 60 years with fever (>37.8 C or 100 F) and new onset of cough
+/- sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting

High Risk Groups

Children under 5 years old (Children <18 years old on long term aspirin therapy)
Pregnant women
Patients with chronic disease (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, immunosuppressed, HIV)
Obese patients (BMI >35)

Home Care

• For low risk patients with fever <101, body aches, mild cold/flu symptoms

Home Care Instructions:

• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine or 7 days after start of illness, whichever is longer.
• Avoid travel, work, school.
• Keep away from others as much as possible. Prevent others from getting sick.
• Drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks – Pedialyte for infants, to keep from being dehydrated.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. If you do not have a tissue to cough or sneeze into, cough into your elbow area, not into your hands.
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Wash your hands frequently and especially after coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Have everyone in the household wash hands often with soap and water. Hand sanitizers may be used.
• Dishes can be done in dishwasher or with hot soapy water.
• Take medications for symptom relief as needed for fever and pain such as Tylenol and Motrin and cough medicine. Do not take them if your symptoms improve. Do not given aspirin or medications that contain aspirin (e.g. Pepto-Bismol) to children under 18 years old.
• Do not give over-the-counter medications except Tylenol or Motrin to children under 4 years old. Do not give Motrin to children under 6 months old.
• Be watchful for emergency warning signs that might indicate your need to seek medical attention
• Household providers of people with H1N1 are not expected to wear a mask, unless they are in high risk group.

Emergency Warning Signs

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids – signs of dehydration
• Not urinating as much as usual
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting as usual
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever returns after being absent for a day, or a significant change in fever pattern occurs. For example, it was 101 degrees Fahrenheit for several days and now it’s 103 degrees.
• Seizures

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Seizures
• Signs of dehydration

Is it ok to breastfeed my baby if I am sick? Is it OK to take medicine to treat or prevent H1N1 flu while breastfeeding?

• A mother’s milk is made to fight diseases in her baby. This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still growing.
• Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Breastfeed early and often. Limit formula feeds if you can. This will help protect your baby from infection.
• Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face, wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Your doctor might ask you to wear a mask to keep from spreading this new virus to your baby.
• If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby.
• Mothers who are breastfeeding can continue to nurse their babies while being treated for the flu.

More information:

http://flu.gov

www.cdc.gov / h1n1flu.com

SHOULD I KEEP MY SICK CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL?

It’s that time again – back to school! September traditionally hails our children back indoors to focus on learning. Being in school means lots of kids in close quarters and the transmission of what I like to call “the buggies”. These buggies, whether viral or bacterial, can make our children feel awful. And at some point, every parent hears “I don’t feel well.”

Inevitably school-aged children come down with common colds, ear infections, the dreaded tummy flu or pink eye. Deciding whether to send your child to school can be a dilemma. Certainly, having a kid at home unexpectedly can throw a monkey wrench in your whole day. For working parents, it might mean an economic hit. Yet, no one wants to send their child to school when they are too sick. This raises the question, “Is my child too sick to go to school?”

As a mother of six and a family practice doctor who treats lots of children, I’m often asked this question. Here are some basic guidelines: Most kiddo buggies are viral and more often than not, their amazing little bodies get rid of them with rest and time. Rest is critical to healing and often school is too physically demanding for a sick child. This is especially true when your child has been up all night. A quiet day at home with extra sleep and lots of fluids is often just what the doctor ordered.

If your child is running a fever over 100 F, they should stay home. Take your child’s temperature with a thermometer to be sure they don’t just feel warm. A fever is an indicator that the body is working to fight an illness. Kids with fevers require extra fluids to stay hydrated. Getting extra fluids can be hard to do in school where drinks are often prohibited in class.

Even if your child feels great, I recommend that kids that are vomiting, have diarrhea, or a severe cough stay home. It’s too disruptive for the teacher and too hard for a kiddo to clean up without mom or dad. Plus, these conditions put other children at risk of catching it next.

Finally, take a good look at your kid. Do they look miserable? Trust your gut feeling. If you are feeling reluctant to send them off to school, then follow your intuition and play it safe with a day at home. That extra TLC (tender loving care) can go a long way.

Sick or well, it is always good to remind our children to cover their coughs, wipe their noses with tissue, and be excellent hand washers both to protect themselves and others from the buggies. When you do decide to send your little one back to school, talk with your child’s teacher or send a note stating what symptoms your child recently experienced. This might aid the teacher in keeping an eye out for returning symptoms. Consider sending them with their own hand sanitizer and box of tissues. But be prepared as you just might get that call…“Can you come and get me?”

Dr. Julie Vails is a board certified Family Practice physician and

owner of Vails Family Practice in Elk Grove.

To contact her, visit www.vailsfp.com.