Heading into week 49 of the Swine Flu (H1N1) epidemic, statistics show that the pandemic is still at large. It’s reported that deaths attributed to pneumonia and the flu is above the epidemic threshold for the seventh consecutive week.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, 21 flu associated pediatric deaths have been reported, 15 of which are said to have been caused by the H1N1 virus. The other six are of the same type virus, but of unknown subtypes. Meanwhile, over 99 percent of all subtyped influenza A viruses reported to the CDC were in fact H1N1.

The proportion of outpatient visits for flu-like illness is currently 5.5 percent which is above the national baseline of 2.3 percent. All 10 regions which reported regional or widespread activity of the virus were also above region-specific baselines.

Almost 29 percent of people tested by the U.S. World Health Organization and the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System were positive for the flu.

Meanwhile, the CDC stated that “scientists expect both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to cause more people to get sick than a regular flu season. More hospital stays and deaths may also occur.” Yet, hope still exists as visits to doctors for flu-like illnesses has decreased again over the 45th week, marking the third consecutive week of national decreases. Hospitalization rates over flu-like illnesses are also beginning to decline, but remain higher than usual for this time of year. The CDC also states that “vaccines are the most important tool we have for preventing influenza.”

There are currently two types of vaccines available: a shot and a nasal spray.

The H1N1 shot is made the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made. It contains an inactivate vaccine, made from a dead virus. It is injected through a needle, usually in the arm. Approved persons for the H1N1 shot are the same as for seasonal flu shots. The shot is approved for use in people six months of age and older, which includes healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.

The nasal spray in the U.S. is made by MedImmune, the same company that makes seasonal nasal spray. It contains a vaccine made with live, but weakened viruses that won’t cause the flu. Indications for who can get it are the same as for seasonal nasal spray. The nasal spray is approved for use in healthy people only, from the age of two to 49 and said individuals can’t be pregnant.

After about two weeks of vaccination, antibodies are created that will provide protection from the H1N1 virus.

However, a person who received the H1N1 vaccine will not be protected against seasonal flu viruses.

The CDC says that vaccination “should begin as soon as [the] vaccine is available.” Supplies are limited but continue to increase.

Given this reality, there are five groups of people who should make the effort to receive the vaccine. These include: pregnant women, people who live with or provide care for infants younger than six months, health care/emergency medical services personnel, people six months to two and a half (especially those at higher risk for flu-related complications and children younger than five years), and people 25-64 who have medical conditions putting them at higher risk.

There are also many who should not receive the vaccine. This includes: people who have a severe allergy to chicken and chicken eggs, people who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination before, children younger than six months of age, people who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever (wait until recovered), people who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (a disease where the body damages its own nerve cells) within six weeks of getting a flu vaccine.

The effectiveness of vaccination will depend on the age and health status of the person. For information about possible side effects please visit the CDC’s website which contains useful information about the H1N1 shot and nasal spray.

LaGCC and other CUNY campuses are taking the proper measures to reduce flu transmission. These procedures include keeping soap and antibacterial dispensers well-stocked, promoting flu preventive hygiene – which includes stressing the need to cover your cough, washing your hands with soap and water, and having sick individuals stay home until they are symptom-free for 24 hours.

If you contract an infectious disease or know someone who has, please report it to the College Nurse, and stay home to limit contact with others. If the Nurse is not present, report it to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs – if that office is closed, report it to the College Public Safety Office.