Vaccination for the H1N1
Mariel Galarza
The University of Texas at El Paso
The difference of the regular flu and the H1N1 also known as the swine flu is the cause. The regular flu which is also called “seasonal flu” is an ongoing virus that happens during different seasons of the year. There is medication for the seasonal flu and also the human body with time may become immune to this virus but it also can kill those with a very weak immune system. The H1N1 virus is said to have come from pigs, “It has been around, but monitored well to lessen the instance of transmission of swine influenza from pigs to pork-consuming humans and those who work in close contact with the animals” (Borade, 2009, para. #1)
Symptoms for the swine flu are similar to those of the regular flu, like: fever, sore throat, muscle pain, coughing. Now the swine flu symptoms for pigs are a bit different, “Among pigs, swine flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties, redness or inflammation of the eye, going off feed, and discharge from the nose or eyes.” (Kampel, 2009, para. #3) The symptoms may vary within the different age groups for example babies, teenagers and adults, but these are the most common. Once someone may seem to have the swine flu they should be taken to the hospital so they can start being treated.
There is always a higher risk for people who may have a weak immune system cause by a disease they might have or also women that are pregnant are most likely to get infected by the swine flu. The Center for Disease Control recommends parents to take their children to get the flu shot even if they have no signs of the flu it is recommended because they can easily be exposed to getting it in public places. “The flu can negatively affect your teen's lung function or can lead to pneumonia, so teens with chronic lung issues should get vaccinated against the flu.” (Poncelet, 2009, para. #2) Kids with any type of disease are most likely to get the swine flu because of how weak there immune system is as well as adult 65 years and older. These two group ages are highly recommended to get vaccinated that way they can be protected against it and that also helps by not spreading it amongst others.
Many pregnant women question themselves about getting the flu shot because they are afraid it may harm their babies and there health. Another concern that pregnant women have is that by getting the flu shot they may have side effects that could worsen there condition and also put their baby at risk. Doctors still believe women that are pregnant should get the flu because it’s a way of preventing worse medical conditions, “A study published in October 2008 even showed that babies who were born to women who had the flu shot while they were pregnant were 63% less likely to get the flu or other illnesses that cause fever than those born to mothers who did not get the vaccine.” (Duda, 2008, para. #1) Pregnant women are suggested to talk to their doctors before making decisions about any medication they might take especially about getting the flu shot.
Back in 2008, a bill was passed that it will allow pharmacist to give flu shots to patience. Pharmacist were also allowed to give the shots to teenagers the only concern some had like Dr. Jane R. Zucker, who is an assistant health commissioner for the Bureau of Immunization said, “The more places flu shots are available, the more likely people are to get one” (Chan, 2008, para. #8) Although many health care professionals recommend their patients to get the flu shot there is some side effects that may occur when a person gets the flu shot. Especially those with allergic reactions are easily exposed to getting an allergic reaction.
Those who may get the flu shot after being around a person who already had the virus may not be protected, “Sometimes people who have received a flu shot for one type of virus get another. At other times, a person has already been exposed before immunization has had time to reach its full protective potential within a couple of weeks.” (Sayler, 2010, para. #4) The flu shot contains strong chemicals like mercury and aluminum therefor some oppose getting the shot or the nasal form of the flu shot. With some people it may cause them to get the flu or have weaker immune systems right after they are vaccinated it mostly all depends in the person’s health.
The swine flu is a serious virus which a person should be right away seen by a health care professional in case of any symptoms because it can be a deadly virus. The way people may avoid getting sick is staying away from a person who has the flu already and keeping a healthy lifestyle by washing hands, using tissue paper when sneezing and covering mouth when coughing. “Doctors may also prescribe other antiviral drugs (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body” (K, 2009, para. #8) The medicine a doctor may prescribe is to treat the virus in the person’s body but not to cure it. So a patient should follow the doctor’s orders.
Borade, Gayner. (2009) Facts about Swine Flu. Swine Flu. Retrieved by September 23, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-swine-flu.html
Chan, Sewell. (March 5, 2008) Should Pharmacists Give Flu Shots? City Room. Retrieved September 25, 2010 from http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/should-pharmacists-give-flu-shots/
Duda, Kristina. (November 11, 2008) Should You Get a Flu Shot During Pregnancy? Cold & Flu. Retrieved September 25, 2010 from http://coldflu.about.com/od/fluvaccinequestions/f/pregnantflushot.htm
K, Marian. (2009) Swine Flu: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. Intelligent Life on the Web.Retrieved September 23, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/swine-flu-causes-symptoms-and-treatment.html
Kampel, Eric. (2009) Swine Flu Symptoms. Swine Flu. Retrieved by September 23, 2010 from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/swine-flu-symptoms.html
Poncelet, Barbara. (January 23, 2009) Your Teen Needs a Flu Shot! Teen Health. Retrieved September 25, 2010 from http://teenhealth.about.com/od/commonvaccinesforteens/a/whyflushot.htm
Sayler, Mary. (September 17, 2010) Get the facts before you get a flu shot. Gainsville. Retrieved September 26, 2010 from http://www.examiner.com/senior-issues-in-gainesville/get-the-facts-before-you-get-a-flu-shot
