FAQs
Have there been any confirmed H1N1 cases in Holmes County?
First and foremost, if you have flu-like symptoms and/or have been diagnosed by a physician with the flu you probably have H1N1. More than 99% of the flu circulating currently in the nation is H1N1.
Hospital emergency departments and other health care providers have implemented H1N1 testing guidelines (based on Guidance by the CDC and ODH) that specify they will not test all persons with flu-like symptoms who present to the emergency department, urgent care centers or private practices and clinics because the treatment for such would be the same with or without a positive H1N1 or seasonal influenza diagnosis. Saying you have been diagnosed with H1N1 does not necessarily mean you have been confirmed positive for H1N1 because no confirmation testing was probably completed.
Confirmatory tests for H1N1 are sent out and can take up to a week to return. The people whose tests can be run by the department of health are those who are hospitalized and those who are involved in an epidemiologic investigation.
Many patients are tested in their office for flu. These rapid tests can take as little as a few minutes, and may only tell if a flu virus is present. It does not distinguish between seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. However, we know that the majority of the cases of influenza A circulating right now are H1N1. As a result physicians and the health district are operating under the assumption that the cases of flu that we are seeing is H1N1. This allows us to treat more rapidly, and to make attempts to control the spread without waiting the week for a confirmatory test.
At the health department we are convinced that H1N1 is here in our community. It has been confirmed in hospitals throughout the state, and seasonal influenza typically surges later in the year. Anyone becoming ill at this point with the flu is assumed to have H1N1, which is simply another strain of influenza. The treatment for both is the same. We have not yet sent a sample to confirm H1N1, so we do not have a confirmed H1N1.
Will there be any more seasonal vaccinations available?
We should have a shipment of pediatric and adult seasonal vaccine early next week. However, after that supply is used up we do not expect many more doses of vaccine.
Who should receive the nasal instead of injection vaccination? Are there any risks associated with the nasal mist?
We are encouraging those that are healthy and not pregnant between the ages of 2 and 49 to get the flu mist. Pregnant women, individuals with asthma, and individuals with chronic diseases can not get the flu mist. The flu mist is a live virus vaccine that has been changed so that it can not live at the normal body temperature of humans. This virus can be shed through coughs and sneezes like other viruses in our noses. Individuals may shed the virus if they do not use good cough etiquette after receiving the vaccine. However, the concern is for the severely immunocompromised. They are the ones who should not be exposed to a person who received the flu mist.
When will be the next flu clinics? Can you come into the health department to receive vaccinations?
We expect to have two clinics next week. Details will be on the website. We will not be offering the H1N1 vaccines at the health department. Given the significant shortage of vaccine, we will be vaccinating a subgroup of the high risk population. These are those at highest risk and include
Pregnant women
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
Health care and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact
Children 6 months through 4 years of age
Children 5 through 18 years of age who have a chronic medical condition
