Swine Flu: Frequently Asked Questions

For basic information on swine flu, including prevention, read our fact sheet. For specific questions, see below. If your question isn't answered here, ask it.

Questions about vaccines
How can I get the swine flu vaccine?
How many people have received the swine flu vaccine through the Health Department?
I heard that certain doses of the vaccine have been recalled. Should I be concerned?
Who can receive the FluMist?
Is the spray or shot more effective?
If I had a flu shot this season, am I protected against swine flu?
Which vaccine should I get first? 
If I received the vaccine for the swine flu in 1976, am I still protected?
Will the swine flu vaccine be given in more than one shot?
If my child received a first dose of the swine flu vaccine from the Health Department, how will he/she get the second?
How long will the flu shot's effectiveness last? 
How much does the vaccine cost?
Will people with egg allergies be able to receive the vaccine?
If I am ill, will I be able to receive the vaccine?
Will you absolutely not get the swine flu if you get the vaccine?
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome and what are the risks associated with it and vaccinations?
I have concerns about the use of thimerosal. Is thimerosal still being used?
Is there a waiting period between getting the swine flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine?
If I have already had flu symptoms since last spring, do I still need a swine flu vaccine?
Is the swine flu vaccine safe?
Can a breastfeeding mom receive the flu shot or nasal spray?

Questions about the swine flu virus
Flu activity across the country seems to be dwindling. Does this mean that the threat of infection is over?
Is it safe to consume pork products?
Is this new swine flu similar to the 1918 pandemic flu?
Can someone get the currently circulating swine flu more than once?
When someone has swine flu, do they generally have all of the symptoms listed? Or could they have it and just have a few of the symptoms?
Are older people not affected by swine flu as much as younger groups because they have built an immunity to it through previous exposure to similar flu viruses?
How long does the virus remain alive on surfaces like doorknobs or books?
Are there different strains of the swine flu, with more dangerous strains that kill healthy people?
Is this new swine flu strain more dangerous than the regular seasonal flu?
What should I do if I'm pregnant and I think I have the flu?

Questions about prevention
Should I avoid traveling?
Should I avoid attending public gatherings like graduations or weddings?
If someone in my family or household has swine flu, what should be done to avoid infecting others in the household?
Are Clorox wipes an adequate means to disinfect. If not then what is?

Questions about testing
Does the Health Department test for swine flu?
How do you get an accurate number of swine flu cases in the area?
When seasonal flu is active, how will we know who has seasonal flu and who has swine flu?

Back to top

Questions about vaccines

How can I get the swine flu vaccine?
Although the number of reported swine flu cases have diminished greatly in the United States, the CDC still recommends those who have not been vaccinated do so. Individuals interested in receiving the swine flu vaccine have several options:

• Appointment in the Health Department's county health centers

• Get the vaccine from a local medical provider

County health centers

The Health Department is providing the vaccine by appointment in its county health centers, and has opened vaccination to anyone wishing to receive the vaccine—not just those groups at high risk for complications.

Appointments for the vaccinations in the county health centers are now being taken. The vaccine is free of charge, and is available as both a shot and nasal spray. Individuals are asked to contact the health center most convenient for them to schedule an appointment. Locations and phone numbers are:

• Boone County Health Center, 7505 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky. 859.363.2060

• Campbell County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky. 859.431.1704 (note the new address)

• Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, Ky. 859.824.5074

• Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky. 859.431.3345

Medical providers

More than 66,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed to more than 90 medical providers to give to their patients/customers. Individuals are encouraged to contact their doctor or pharmacist to see if the vaccine is available.

How many people have received the swine flu vaccination through the Health Department?
Since late October, around 30,000 people have received the swine flu vaccination directly through various clinics held by the Health Department. In addition, more than 66,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed to more than 90 medical providers. The Health Department has also vaccinated more than 1,000 people in its county health centers since January.

I heard that certain doses of the vaccine have been recalled. Should I be concerned?
Sanofi Pasteur, one the manufacturers of the swine flu vaccine, voluntarily recalled about 800,000 doses of the vaccine, distributed in one-dose vials for children age 6 to 35 months. These lots were not shipped to the Health Department; thus, any vaccinations given by the Health Department are not covered by this recall.

MedImmune, manufacturer of the FluMist nasal spray vaccine, also recalled doses of the vaccine. While doses of the nasal spray were administered in Kentucky, officials believe that most people received the vaccine when it was still at its greatest strength, and do not need to be vaccinated again.

Both vaccines were recalled because testing found that the levels of antigens in the doses was lower than required. However, officials from the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration feel that the problem is not significant enough to require anyone receiving a dose of recalled vaccine to be vaccinated again. Read more about the recalls.

Who can receive the FluMist vaccine?
The FluMist is recommended for the following groups:

• Healthy children, adolescents and adults (aged 2 through 24 years) except for pregnant adolescents and adults

• Healthy health care and emergency medical services personnel, aged 49 years or less, except for pregnant women

• Healthy household contacts and caregivers aged 2 through 49 years, except for pregnant women, of infants aged less than 6 months (i.e. parents, siblings, child care providers)

Is the spray or shot more effective?
Most healthy individuals 2-49 years of age are having a robust response to the either vaccine. For the older population the shot seems to be more effective. 

If I had a seasonal flu shot this season, am I protected against swine flu?
No. The vaccine for seasonal influenza is not effective against swine flu.

Which vaccine should I get first? 
You can get both vaccines simultaneously and should. You must wait 30 days between doses if you receive both via the nasal spray, but you can get one in mist form and one shot or two shots in less than 30 days, and even on the same day. 

If I received the vaccine for the swine flu in 1976, am I still protected?
No, the vaccine from 1976 will not protect you from the current strain.

Will the swine flu vaccine be given in more than one shot?
Results from the vaccine trial suggest that children aged 6 months to 9 years old require two doses. The doses must be given at three to four weeks apart. The Health Department's protocol is to give the doses 30 days apart (parents are asked to bring something in writing that states the date of the first vaccination), and is what will be followed in Health Department clinics. However, there is evidence that a second dose at 21 days is effective, so some providers may follow these guidelines. One dose should be effective for all other age groups.

If my child received a first dose of the swine flu vaccine from the Health Department, how will he/she get the second?
A second dose of vaccine is required a minimum of three to four weeks after the first does for children under age 10. Children may get their second dose after a longer period of time than three to four weeks. The first dose provides most of the immunity needed; the second merely is a booster.

For the second dose, if four weeks have passed since the first vaccination, parents are first asked to check with their child's doctor to see if vaccine is available. Children may also get their second dose with an appointment in the Health Department's county health centers.

How long will the flu shot's effectiveness last? 
Studies have shown protective immunity for at least one year. Each year, the vaccine is reformulated to mutations that occur in the virus. Individuals who have received a swine flu vaccine in 2009 or early in 2010 are encouraged to seek the seasonal flu vaccine, which will include protection against the swine flu strain, when it is available in the fall of 2010.

How much does the vaccine cost?
The vaccine is free, but providers may charge a fee to administer the shot. The Health Department is not charging a fee for administering the vaccine.

Will people with egg allergies be able to receive the vaccine?
People who have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to chicken eggs or to any other substance in the vaccine should not be vaccinated. Persons who have had symptoms such as hives or swelling of the lips or tongue, or who have experienced acute respiratory distress after eating eggs, should consult a physician for appropriate evaluation to help determine if influenza vaccine should be administered. Persons who have documented hypersensitivity to eggs, including those who have had occupational asthma related to egg exposure or other allergic responses to egg protein, also might be at increased risk for allergic reactions to influenza vaccine, and consultation with a physician before vaccination should be considered.

If I am ill, will I be able to receive the vaccine?
Anyone who is moderately or severely ill (including those who've had a fever within the last 24 hours) might be advised to wait until he/she recovers before getting the vaccine. If you have a mild cold or other illness, there is usually no reason to wait. 

Will you absolutely not get the swine flu if you get the vaccine?
No vaccine is 100 percent effective. It is generally found that if the vaccine is not completely effective, the course of the illness after receiving the vaccine is milder. The flu shot takes 1-2 weeks to build antibodies and it is possible to get the flu before the vaccine has taken effect. It is important to note that the vaccine does not make people sick with the flu, but a person may feel rundown for 12 hours after receiving the vaccine as the body is working hard to make antibodies.

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome and what are the risks associated with it and vaccinations?
Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can cause symptoms that last for a few weeks or several months. Most people recover fully from GBS, but some people have permanent nerve damage. In rare cases, people have died of GBS, usually from difficulty with breathing. In the United States, for example, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS each year on average, whether or not they received a vaccination. This is about one to two cases of GBS per 100,000 people.

Scientists first reported a suspected link between GBS and vaccinations in 1976, during a national campaign to vaccinate people against a swine flu virus. The investigation found that vaccine recipients had a higher risk for GBS than those who were not vaccinated (about one additional case occurred per 100,000 people vaccinated). Given this association, and the fact that the swine flu disease was limited, the vaccination program was stopped. Since then, numerous studies have been done to evaluate if other flu vaccines were associated with GBS. In most studies, no association was found, but two studies suggested that approximately 1 additional person out of 1 million vaccinated people may be at risk for GBS associated with the seasonal influenza vaccine. GBS has not been an issue in the ongoing swine flu vaccine trials.

I have concerns about the use of thimerosal. Is thimerosal still being used?
Since 2001, no new vaccine licensed by FDA for use in children has contained thimerosal as a preservative, and all vaccines routinely recommended by the CDC for children under 6 years of age have been thimerosal-free, or contain only trace amounts, except for multi-dose formulations of influenza vaccine. This was done as a precautionary step and not because there was evidence confirming that thimerosal-containing vaccines were causing health problems. The most recent and rigorous scientific research does not support the hypothesis that thimerosal-containing vaccines are harmful.  

Thimerosal is an important preservative that protects vaccines against potential microbial contamination, which may occur in opened multi-dose vials of vaccine. Such contamination could cause serious illness or death. Since seasonal influenza vaccine is produced in large quantities for annual immunization campaigns, some of the vaccine is produced in multi-dose vials and contains thimerosal to safeguard against possible contamination of the vial once it is opened.

Is there a waiting period between getting the swine flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine?
Only if both swine and seasonal flu vaccine is given as the nasal spray—you have to wait four weeks between the sprays. However, if you get one or both of the vaccines in shot form, then there is no waiting period.

If I have already had flu symptoms since last spring, do I still need a swine flu vaccine?
Yes, you are encouraged to still get the swine flu vaccine unless you have paperwork that says you were given a culture flu test and that test was positive for the swine flu strain.

Is the swine flu vaccine safe?
The swine flu vaccine is proving to be as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine. The swine flu vaccine was manufactured using the same process as the seasonal flu vaccine and by the same manufacturers. The only difference is that the swine flu vaccine contains a new strain of flu. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. The most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given. Still, a program will be in place for monitoring for any signs that the vaccine is causing unexpected reactions and those will be investigated.

Can a breastfeeding mom receive the swine flu shot ?
Yes. Both seasonal and swine flu vaccines should be given to breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding is fully compatible with flu vaccination and preventing the flu in mothers can reduce the chance that the infant will get the flu. Also, by breastfeeding, mothers can pass on to the infant the antibodies that their bodies make in response to the flu shots, which last for six months and can reduce the infant’s chances of getting sick with the flu. This is especially important for infants less than 6 months old who have no other way of receiving vaccine antibodies, since they are too young to be vaccinated.

Back to top

Questions about the swine flu virus

Flu activity across the country seems to be dwindling. Does this mean that the threat of infection is over?
The number of cases of swine flu reported across the country reached its peak in October, but that does not mean that the threat of infection is over. However, according to the CDC, flu activity is about the same as what is normally seen during the summer in the United States. Although, the level is low at the moment, flu activity is unpredictable and those not already vaccinated should receive the vaccine and all residents should continue to follow precautionary measures to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Is it safe to consume pork products?
Yes. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

Is this new swine flu similar to the 1918 pandemic flu?
The 1918 flu pandemic was a serious event, killing more than 100 million people worldwide in 18 months. In 1918, the virus appeared in a mild form in the spring, and then returned in a more potent strain in the fall, which is when the majority of cases and deaths occurred.

It’s too soon to predict what will happen with the new swine flu virus or how the virus might change. However, it is important that we continue to watch this virus carefully to look for changes that may occur.

Can I get the currently circulating swine flu more than once?
Getting infected with any influenza virus, including swine flu, should cause your body to develop immune resistance to that virus so it's not likely that a person would be infected with the identical influenza virus more than once. However, people with weakened immune systems might not develop full immunity after infection and might be more likely to get infected with the same influenza virus more than once. It's also possible that a person could have a positive test result for flu infection more than once in an influenza season. This can occur for two reasons:

1. A person may be infected with different influenza viruses (for example, the first time with 2009 H1N1 and the second time with a regular seasonal flu virus). Most rapid tests cannot distinguish which influenza virus is responsible for the illness. 
2. Influenza tests can occasionally give false positive and false negative results so it's possible that one of the test results were incorrect. This is more likely to happen when the diagnosis is made with the rapid flu tests. More information about flu diagnosis is available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/diagnosis/.

When someone has swine flu, do they generally have all of the symptoms listed? Or could they have it and just have a few of the symptoms?
The symptoms of swine flu can vary from person-to-person, so someone with the flu may not have all of the symptoms listed. One of the tell-tale symptoms of all flu is a fever, usually more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you or a family member may have flu, it's a good idea to call your health care provider.

Are older people not affected by swine flu as much as younger groups because they have built an immunity to it through previous exposure to similar flu viruses?
Initial research by the CDC suggests that some degree of preexisting immunity to the current swine flu strain exists, especially among adults aged 60 years or older. One possible explanation is that some adults in this age group have had previous exposure, either through infection or vaccination, to a flu virus that is closely related to the swine flu. However, further research is necessary.

How long does the virus stay alive on surfaces like doorknobs and books?
Studies have shown that influenza viruses can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

Are there different strains of swine flu, with more dangerous strains that kill healthy people?
The World Health Organization has identified a handful of cases around the world (including the United States, reportedly in Iowa and North Carolina) in which a mutation in the swine flu virus was found. This mutation has occurred in both fatal and mild cases. These mutations appear to be isolated and occur sporadically. The mutated strain does not appear to spread from person-to-person.

“Healthy” people that have died from swine flu likely had an underlying medical condition or contracted a co-infection that led to death.

Is this new swine flu strain more dangerous than the regular seasonal flu?
This outbreak certainly poses the potential to be at least as serious as seasonal flu, if not more so, especially given the fact that it is targeting a much younger group than seasonal flu.

What should I do if I'm pregnant and I think I have the flu?
If a pregnant woman thinks she has flu, she should call her doctor right away. If needed, he or she will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats the flu. The medicine is most helpful if it is started within the first 48 hours after the pregnant woman becomes sick.

Not everyone with flu in the general population needs to get antiviral medicines. Flu antiviral medicines should be used mostly to treat people with the flu who have a condition that increases their chances for serious problems from flu, such as pregnant women. These medicines are also used to treat people with flu who have more severe flu illness or who are in the hospital.

Back to top

Questions about prevention

Should I avoid traveling?
Travelers should take four steps to stay healthy:

• Travel only when you are feeling well

• Wash your hands often

• Cover you cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve

• Getting vaccinated for flu (both seasonal and swine flu), if it's recommended and available to you

One of the most important things that you can do is to travel only when feeling well. If you have the flu or flu-like illness, you should wait to travel until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without using fever-reducing medicines. If you get sick while traveling, you should postpone traveling home until well.  

Should I avoid public gatherings, like graduations and weddings?
The CDC does not necessarily recommend that people stay away from public gatherings, but they do urge that people practice the same precautions outlined in the swine flu fact sheet and within this FAQ.

• Those who are sick with symptoms of the swine flu should not attend public gatherings due to the risk of spreading the virus.

• The CDC does not recommend that those attending public gatherings wear masks or respirators, but they do suggest taking the standard respiratory and hygienic precautions, such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer often.

• Event organizers should take precautions to inform those likely to attend the public gathering to stay home if they are sick and to practice good hygiene while at the event.

If someone in my family or household has swine flu, what should be done to avoid infecting others in the household?
If someone in your family or household has swine flu, efforts should be made to monitor his/her condition, separate him or her from the rest of the family or household, provide care to make him/her comfortable, and be alert for symptoms that require additional medical care. More details about treatment at home.

Are Clorox wipes an adequate means to disinfect? If not, then what is?
How effective a particular product is in disinfecting a surface depends on the ingredients in the product and what organism you are trying to kill. The Environmental Protection Agency's Web site has information concerning specific products and what they are effective against.

Specific to the flu virus, bleach solutions have been found to be effective in killing the virus. Also products containing 60 percent alcohol, such as specific hand sanitizers, are effective. You would need to check the label on any specific product to see if it contains these chemicals, or look at the EPA's Web site to see if it contains another chemical found to be effective at killing flu viruses.

Some commercial disinfectant products do not contain ingredients that will kill viruses. Just check the labels and, if needed, check the EPA's list to see if they are listed as able to kill influenza A viruses.

Back to top

Questions about testing

Does the Health Department test for swine flu?
No. Contact your health care provider if you come down with flu-like symptoms, including body aches, coughing, diarrhea, fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, nausea, runny nose, sore throat and vomiting. He or she will decide if you need to be tested for flu.

How do you get an accurate number of swine flu cases in the area?
It will be impossible to have an exact count as time goes on. Many people who become infected with swine flu will never go to the doctor and will instead just stay home and rest until they are better. Others will go to the doctor and learn that they have flu and be treated. Keep in mind that the treatment for seasonal flu and swine flu is the same, and the majority of the flu activity is swine flu. It's fairly safe to assume that if you have the flu, it's the swine flu.

Some groups at high risk for complications will be tested, per recommendations from the Kentucky Department for Public Health. This includes pregnant women, individuals ill enough to be admitted to a hospital and individuals living in a facility where cases have not been reported yet. Those cases are required to be reported to the Health Department. In addition, doctors are asked to report results from a rapid flu test, which is commonly used. 

Even though not all cases are reported, the Health Department has the ability to track reports of illness in schools, doctors' offices and other facilities. Purchases from pharmacies, like pain relievers, can also be tracked. These methods can help show the activity in the community. Seasonal flu is monitored this way each year.

When seasonal flu is active, how will we know who has seasonal flu and who has swine flu?
The only way to determine that a person has swine flu is through laboratory testing. Due to the pandemic, it is assumed that anyone suffering from flu-like symptoms has contracted swine flu. At this time, seasonal flu does not appear to be circulating within the community.

Back to top