ASK THE DOCTOR: Swine Flu

Question: I am 66 years old and in good health. I usually get a flu shot each year just to be safe and was wondering if my annual flu shot will protect me from the swine flu?

The swine flu, now being referred to as the H1N1 flu, first began affecting people in North America in April 2009. By June 2009, the H1N1 virus had spread around the world and was declared a pandemic. The H1N1 flu is similar to the seasonal flu in that it is spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing; but thus far it seems to have primarily affected pregnant women and patients between the ages of 6 months and 24 years. As usual, people over age 65 are advised to receive a yearly “seasonal” flu shot; but the yearly flu shot will not be effective in preventing the H1N1 flu.

Each flu season an average of 36,000 people die from flu related complications in the United States, with over 90% of these deaths occurring in people over 65. What is unusual about the H1N1 virus is that it has mostly affected younger people including those with risk factors such as pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease and asthma. There have been very few cases of H1N1 flu reported in patients over 64, and studies have shown that about 1/3 of adults over age 60 have antibodies to the H1N1 virus.

A vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu is expected to be available sometime this fall and will be able to be given in addition to the seasonal flu shot. At present, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that the following groups receive the H1N1 flu shot:
Pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages 24-64 who are at higher risk of infection due to chronic health conditions. At this time the CDC is not recommending patients over age 65 routinely receive the H1N1 flu shot. If you are 65 or better and have chronic medical conditions, please consult your physician for more specific advice.

For more information on the H1N1 flu, go to www.help4elders.info