Health experts are advising the public that the best line of defense against H1N1 is to be vaccinated. However, the relative newness of the vaccine has some people proceeding with caution, leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reassure them that the vaccine is safe and necessary.

Bellin Health does not have doses of H1N1 vaccine for the general public yet, but it did recently receive its supply for health care employees.

What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?
Novel H1N1 (initially called swine flu) is a new, or novel, strain of the influenza virus responsible for illnesses in a fast-growing number of people. The virus initially was detected in people in the United States in April 2009. It has been spreading person-to-person worldwide in the same manner as the seasonal influenza virus. The World Health Organization, on June 11, 2009, announced that a H1N1 flu pandemic was underway.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or use the crook of your arm
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people

Why get a flu vaccination?
Because it is by far the best way to protect yourself against the flu.

Who can get a seasonal flu vaccine?
Any one older than six months and doesn’t have conditions that cause the vaccine to pose a health risk is eligible to get a flu shot.

The flu can be mistaken for other things like a cold. So it’s important to know the symptoms and get help early if you think you have the flu.

Depending on the person, symptoms can be mild or severe. But mild symptoms can turn into sever symptoms quickly, so pay attention to your body. 

Simply put, the flu is a respiratory infection, meaning it centers around your lungs. It’s caused by different influenza viruses, which is why there are different kinds of flu.

Most of these strains behave similarly and are often lumped into a category called seasonal flu. Occasionally a new virus will appear, causing the medical community to take extra precautions until more is known about the behavior of that flu, which is why you are hearing so much about H1N1 (swine) flu.