H1N1 Information

  1. What is H1N1?
  2. How is this different from the regular flu?
  3. Is the H1N1 flu really that dangerous?
  4. What can I do to protect my child/family?
  5. Are there any special considerations for individuals with Angelman Syndrome?
  6. I am caring for an individual with Angelman Syndrome that has the flu. Are there special guidelines I should follow?
  7. Should some people not be given the Pavax®H1N1 Vaccine?
  8. Where can I find additional reliable information?
  1. What is H1N1?

    H1N1 (sometimes called swine flu) is an influenza virus. The H1N1 designation refers to which subtype of influenza virus it is.

    There is clear evidence of serious or fatal health complications for some people who catch this flu. It is a new strain of flu that spreads easily from person to person, and experience in other countries shows that this is not just winter flu - it could come back during spring and summer.

    To learn more about H1N1 and viral subtypes, please visit the following website:

    http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

  2. How is this different from the regular flu?

    This particular H1N1 strain has not been detected in humans before. This strain is not related to previous or current seasonal flu strains. Thus, people will have little or no immunity to this particular flu strain. Therefore it will be very infectious and easily spread until people gain immunity either from contracting the virus or being vaccinated.

  3. Is the H1N1 flu really that dangerous?

    Illness reports for H1N1 have ranged from mild to severe, but in general are similar to what is seen with seasonal flu. Seasonal influenza results in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide per year. However, both H1N1 and seasonal flu can lead to severe complications (such as pneumonia) in high risk groups.

  4. What can I do to protect my child/family?

    There are a number of simple steps you can take to reduce the spread of influenza.

    • Be sure to wash your hands frequently!
    • Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hand) when you sneeze or cough.
    • Avoid contact with others if they are sick.
    • Avoid contact with others if you are sick.

    For more information and additional tips please see the following website:

    http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

  5. Are there any special considerations for individuals with Angelman Syndrome?

    • Because individuals with Angelman Syndrome are at high risk for complications following influenza infections, they should be given priority for vaccinations and antiviral medication.
    • Because individuals with Angelman Syndrome tend to chew on objects and their hands, you should wash their hands and their chew objects frequently.
    • Because individuals with Angelman Syndrome are non-verbal, they may not be able to adequately communicate if their symptoms are getting worse. Therefore it is important to be in close contact with their health care provider/General Practicioner (see #6 below).

    For more information and additional tips please see the following website:

    http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

  6. I am caring for an individual with Angelman Syndrome that has the flu. Are there special guidelines I should follow?

    • There are no special guidelines for caring for an individual with Angelman Syndrome that has the flu. You should follow standard guidelines for caring for an individual with flu-like symptoms. You should contact the individual's primary care provider as soon as you suspect they have contracted the flu to obtain professional advice. Please see the following website for general information on caring for someone who has the flu.

      http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

    • Most individuals who contract the flu will recover without an issue. However, because individuals with Angelman Syndrome are non-verbal, they may not be able to adequately communicate if their symptoms are getting worse. Therefore it is important to be in close contact with their primary care provider to ensure you have a plan in place for determining what to do if their symptoms are getting worse.

      Here are some of the emergency warning signs from the CDC:

        In children

      • If you are worried that the child is much sicker than usual
      • If the child seems to be getting worse or becomes drowsy
      • If the child has fast or laboured breathing
      • If the child's fever does not seem to be getting better

        • In adults

      • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or chest pain
      • Confusion or disorientation
      • Unable to keep liquids down because of vomiting
      • Dehydration (very thirsty, dizzy when standing, or passing much less urine than normal)
      • Rapid deterioration - suddenly feeling much worse
        •

      Source: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

    • It is important that you not panic, but if you are concerned about the individual in any way, contact your care provider immediately to discuss whether or not the individual should be seen by a medical professional.

    • Since individuals with Angelman Syndrome are at high risk for complications, they are be given priority for antiviral medication such as Panvax®. You should contact your General Practicioner as soon as the individual develops flu-like symptoms to request anti-viral medication as it is most effective if given within the first 48hours after symptoms appear.

      For more information on antiviral medication please see the following sites:

      http://www.healthemergency.gov.au
      http://www.h1n1vax.com.au

  7. Should some people not be given the Panvax® H1N1 Vaccine?

    People should not be given Panvax® H1N1 Vaccine or any other influenza vaccines if they;


    • have experienced anaphylaxis, a severe form of a generalised allergic reaction, following a previous dose of any influenza vaccine
    • have experienced anaphylaxis following receipt of any vaccine component, including neomycin or polymyxin antibiotics; or
    • have a severe allergy to eggs, including people who have experienced swelling of the lips or tongue, or had acute breathing problems or convulsions, after eating eggs
    • Are under six months of age.

    People with milder forms of egg allergy may be able to be vaccinated and should talk to their doctor about the vaccine.

    People who are moderately or severely ill with a fever should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine.

    People with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.

    People taking other medicines should always tell their immunisation provider what other medication they are taking. Your immunisation provider should advise you about any possible effects the vaccination may have in respect of those medications.

    If you have had any other vaccine in the four weeks prior to getting the Panvax® H1N1 vaccine, you should discuss this with your immunisation service provider.

    Source: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

  8. Where can I find additional reliable information?

    The following website has the most up-to-date information regarding H1N1:

    http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/

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