By Stephanie Haridopolos, M.D.

For Hometown News

There have been many misconceptions regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine and this article is an effort to provide a concise flu avoidance and flu management roadmap.

The 2009 H1N1 flu virus (formerly known as swine flu) was declared a pandemic earlier this year with widespread activity here in Florida. The most significant difference between the H1N1 and the seasonal flu viruses is that H1N1 has a higher incidence in the younger population and pregnant women.

The virus presents with symptoms including fatigue, fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, and body aches. Sometimes it may present with vomiting and diarrhea, as well. The severity of the illness has a wide range from mild flu-like symptoms that can be self-limiting and treated with supportive care to severe respiratory symptoms requiring hospitalizations. It is spread through person-to-person contact by respiratory droplets and can stay alive on inanimate objects up to eight hours. The H1N1 virus has an incubation period of seven days.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is the best weapon against the flu. It is currently available and distribution efforts are under way. It is manufactured the same way as the seasonal vaccine under the Food and Drug Administration's rigorous oversight and approval procedures. In fact, had the World Health Organization predicted the H1N1 was going to be a pandemic this year; it would have been included in the production of the seasonal flu vaccine this year.

There are certain target groups who should receive the H1N1 Flu vaccine:

. Pregnant women

. Health care workers and emergency medical responders

. People who live with or care for infants less than 6 months of age

. Children and adults from 6 months to 24 years

. People age 25-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions

To help prevent the spread and reduce your risk of contracting H1N1:

. Get the vaccine if you meet the above criteria

. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing then discard the tissue immediately and encourage others to act similarly

. Frequent hand-washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is also effective

. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid spreading germs

If flu symptoms do take hold, contact your physician for guidance. Once diagnosed, those who become infected must remain home from work or school for at least one week from when symptoms began to help prevent the spread of the flu. It is imperative to drink plenty of fluids and get adequate rest.

There are antiviral medications that can help lessen the severity and duration of the H1N1 virus if started within 48 hours of the start of symptoms. These require a prescription from your healthcare provider if deemed necessary. Most people do not need the antiviral medication to fully recover from the flu.

Remember to be proactive as we all weather this flu season.

For information, contact the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or call the hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Stephanie Haridopolos, M.D., is a board certified family practice physician in Melbourne.