H1N1 Flu Information Center
Summer is over
and that means that flu season will soon be here! This year's flu
season is complicated by the H1N1 (Swine) Flu virus in addition to
the usual Seasonal Flu. Disease trackers at the CDC believe that
the second wave of the H1N1 Flu virus could be more severe than an
average flu season because the virus is new and most people are
not immune to it. Students are just moving into dorms but colleges
across the country are already seeing spikes in the number of
students with suspected cases of swine flu. It’s only a matter of
time before it hits every community.
The single best way to prevent the
flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. This season,
there will be two vaccinations: one for the Seasonal Flu and one
for H1N1 (Swine) Flu. The Seasonal Flu shot will not protect you
against H1N1 and the H1N1 Flu shot will not protect you against
the Seasonal Flu. The CDC has some excellent information on H1N1
vaccination guidelines.
Officials
predict that emergency rooms will soon be overflowing with people
with flu symptoms.A better choice is to
call the Blue Care Line – the
24-hour nurse line for BCBSMA members (888) 247-2583 or visit
http://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en_US/pdfs/New_SOB/32-9855_Blue_Care_Line_Broch.pdf#page=1
A registered nurse will assess your symptoms and advise you on the
best course of action, whether that’s to call your doctor, go to
the ER, or do self-care. It’s free and confidential and a great
resource for you and your family.
