The FDA has approved four new H1N1 vaccines today with the first doses expected to be distributed within the next four weeks.
The number of H1N1 cases could peak in Minnesota in the next 6 to 12 weeks. Seasonal flu will follow. But did you know, if you get flu-like symptoms, most of us are being asked not to go to the doctor? Don't let the empty chairs on a Tuesday morning at Hennepin County Medical Center's emergency room fool you. Soon, people who think they have H1N1 may be rushing in to clinics and the ER to see a doctor. HCMC emergency physician, Dr. John Hick, says, "We expect to see at least 50 to 200 additional patients per day in our emergency department which usually sees about 300 patients."
But Hick is asking most people with flu-like symptoms, fever and aches, to stay away. He says, "Don't seek medical care for routine influenza-like illness if you're healthy between the ages of 5 and 65." Why? Because for most of us, there won't be much that ER's or clinics will be able to do. Hick says, "The danger that you're going to have any complications from this influenza is extremely low, below the order of 1%." You also likely won't be tested for H1N1. Only those admitted to the hospital are. And you could be waiting for hours just to be told to go home, get rest and drink fluids.
Hick says, "Once your fever is gone for 24 hours, you can go back to work. You may continue to shed a little bit of virus so maintain a little bit of social distancing."
But if your flu gets worse, he says you should see a doctor. Hick says if you have, "Shortness of breath, very severe vomiting, intractable pain from headaches or muscle aches, of course we want to see you."
Hick says if you have the flu, then start getting better and then you get sick again, see the doctor right away because you could have secondary pneumonia And Hick says those with underlying medical conditions want to plan ahead by talking with your doctor right now so you can get an antiviral like Tamiflu or Relenza if you do start having symptoms of the flu.
Hick says, "Early treatment is key for those at-risk individuals to keep them from getting a lot sicker potentially."
While the seasonal flu vaccine is already being distributed, the H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in Minnesota sometime in October.
If you think you've already had H1N1 but aren't sure, Dr. Hick says it's still OK to get the H1N1 vaccine.
He also believes the H1N1 vaccine is just as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine. For more information, check out the Minnesota Department of Health H1N1 influenza website.
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