Heart Disease Patients Should Get H1N1 Flu Shot Says
American Heart Association
National Influenza Vaccination Week started Sunday;
pushed by HHS and CCD
Jan. 11, 2010 The American Heart Association has
joined the national effort to get more Americans vaccinated against H1N1
flu during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Jan. 10-16.
This supports an effort led by the Department of
Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
Influenza of all types can pose greater dangers for
people with heart failure or with any cardiovascular disease. Like
seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine flu) may cause a worsening of underlying
chronic medical conditions.
The American Heart Association recommends each year
that all heart disease patients get flu shots and they should do so by
injection not the live, attenuated vaccine given as a nasal spray. The
live vaccine is not approved for use by cardiovascular disease patients.
● There is a vaccine available for H1N1 flu in
addition to the vaccine for seasonal flu.
● The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has
information about the H1N1 flu, its treatment, who should be vaccinated,
and how to keep from spreading it at www.flu.gov.
● There is treatment for the flu, which you can
get from your doctor. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after
getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
● Helpful tips for keeping yourself and others healthy. >> Try to avoid close contact with sick people. >> If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home
from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting
them. >> Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you
cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. >> Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are
also effective. >> Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs
spread that way.
The H1N1 flu is a serious disease. The CDC
estimates that between mid-April and November 14, 2009, 47 million
people in the United States were infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu, more
than 200,000 people were hospitalized, and over 9,800 people died. For
more on H1N1 flu and National Influenza Vaccination Week, visit
www.flu.gov
Jan. 11, 2010 The American Heart Association has
joined the national effort to get more Americans vaccinated against H1N1
flu during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Jan. 10-16.