August 26, 2009

by: rferraro @ 2:56 pm

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has recently published a report describing a “Plausible Scenario” with regards to the impact of H1N1 Influenza this fall. Although this report may be frightening, it is important to understand that the report is relating a worst case scenario. The council states that IT IS NOT A PREDICTION! To see this report ‘CLICK HERE’

I would suggest to you that to prevent this “Plausible Scenario” for becoming a fact in history, we should follow some very simple steps.

FIRST and FOREMOST -get vaccinated for both the seasonal and H1N1 Flu when available. This is the MOST effective defense available to us for preventing the spread of influenza.

Secondly – to follow some basic, common sense rules (I know, you’ve seen it here and other places many times, but they can’t be repeated enough).

-Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

-If you are sick STAY HOME! The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

-When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue and throw it away. Barring that, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

-Wash your hands frequently, or use alcohol based sanitizers.

-Educate your children in the steps above, to help protect them.

-Get into the habit of disinfecting commonly touched surfaces in your home or at work.

by: rferraro @ 1:33 pm

Below are some excerpts from a guidance for businesses and employers released by the Federal Government.

The guidance, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is designed to help employers prepare now for the impact that seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza could have this fall and winter on their employees and operations.

“If employees are sick, they need to be encouraged to stay home. If people begin to experience flu-like symptoms at work, they should be sent home and possibly encouraged to seek medical treatment,’’ said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

-Employers’ plans should address such points as encouraging employees with flu-like symptoms or illness to stay home, operating with reduced staffing, and possibly having employees who are at higher risk of serious medical complications from infection work from home.

-Employers should work with employees to develop and implement common sense measures to reduce the risk of spreading the flu. Encourage workers who are sick to stay home, encourage seasonal flu vaccination as well as H1N1 vaccination when that vaccine becomes available.

-Employers should try to make sick leave policies flexible for workers who may have to stay home with ill family members or if a child’s school is closed, the CDC says.

-Employers should consider offering vaccine against seasonal flu, and encourage employees to be vaccinated against seasonal and H1N1 flu, the guidance says.

-Employees who are at higher risk for flu complications might be allowed to work from home or stay home if the flu is severe, it says.

To read the entire new release ‘CLICK HERE’

In many instances The Hopkinton Drug can provide an on-site Flu Shot Clinic at your business or facility – call 508-435-4441 for details.

August 25, 2009

by: rferraro @ 8:36 am

The Novel H1N1 (formerly known as the Swine Flu) Flu Vaccine is still undergoing clinical trials. However, the CDC has recently announced that the first licensed Novel H1N1 vaccine should be available by mid October.

Their policy regarding H1N1 vaccine is to target 5 risk groups and to vaccinate as many of those people falling into those risk groups as quickly as possible.

“Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as vaccine is available. Highlights of these recommendations include 1) the identification of five initial target groups for vaccination efforts (pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults aged 6 months--24 years, and persons aged 25--64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications)"

To read the entire report –CICK HERE

August 24, 2009

by: rferraro @ 3:29 pm

The Hopkinton Drug will hold its first Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic on Wednesday, September 30th from 10am to 6pm. We have three Trained and Certified Immunizing Pharmacists on Staff to administer the vaccine.

The Hopkinton Drug has secured a supply of the Flu Vaccine, however, many suppliers are already out of the vaccine. We would recommend that everyone who wants the flu shot, or are at risk of getting the flu, get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.

No Prescription is required, and we will accept Cash, Check or Credit card. The Flu shot will be given at no charge to patients who present a valid ‘Medicare PART B’ Beneficiary Card. We are limited, by state law, to giving the vaccine to persons 18 years of age and older.

The clinic will be held in our Pharmacy Department at the Hopkinton Drug Inc. 52 Main St. Hopkinton MA 01748. If you have any questions please call 508-435-4441

From the CDC Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

Influenza is a serious disease, and people of any age can get it. In an average year, the flu causes 36,000 deaths (mostly among those aged 65 years or older) and more than 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States. The “flu season” in the United States is usually from November through April each year. During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu and lessen the chance that you will transmit to others.

August 17, 2009

by: rferraro @ 4:48 pm

Questions and answers about the Novel H1N1 Flu posted by the CDC

What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?

Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.

Why is novel H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.

How does novel H1N1 virus spread?

Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

August 7, 2009

by: rferraro @ 2:44 pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of December 6-12, 2009, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This event is designed to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as encourage people to get vaccinated through the months of December, January and beyond.

by: rferraro @ 10:48 am

Update from the CDC, August 5, 2009

CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

This is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer.

This new recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications.

The new recommendation does not apply to health care settings where the exclusion period should be continued for 7 days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer

August 5, 2009

by: rferraro @ 3:44 pm

The Centers for Disease Control has stated that Clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccines will begin late August and continue into October. The estimated time for release of the vaccine has not yet been finalized, but in light of the trials starting late summer, I wouldn’t expect the vaccine to be available until late November or early December. Which is well past the predicted start for the H1N1 flu season.

The CDC has hinted that the vaccine will be a 2 shot series, and that the novel H1N1 vaccines WILL NOT provide coverage against the 2009 – 2010 Seasonal Flu.

August 3, 2009

by: rferraro @ 3:26 pm

How serious is influenza? Although many people think of influenza as a type of cold, it is really a specific and serious disease. Disease complications and death are more common among young children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. An average of 36,000 influenza associated deaths per year occurred during 1990-1999. Influenza viruses cause disease among persons of all ages. Risk for influenza-associated death is highest among the oldest elderly: persons age 85 years and older are 16 times more likely to die from an influenza-associated illness than persons aged 65-69 years. Occasionally, major epidemics occur on an international scale. This is known as a pandemic.

The best way to prevent influenza is with annual vaccination!