November 5
H1N1 Flu/Vaccine - Q&A with Dr. Bryna Warshawski
 (11/05/2009) 
5:40
Good Evening...
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:40 
5:40
Tonight's blog is a bit different
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:40 
5:40
We are only taking questions on the H1N1 flu/vaccine
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:40 
5:40
[Comment From Carl SCarl S: ] 
GOT A DOCTOR TODAY?
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:40 Carl S
5:40
Dr. Bryna Warshawski will be joining us momentarily.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:40 
5:40
[Comment From GrahamGraham: ] 
Good Evening Doc
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:40 Graham
5:44
[Comment From Carl SCarl S: ] 
SEE THE LEAFS AND RAPTORS GOT SHOTS TODAY.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:44 Carl S
5:45
My apologies folks -- it's Dr. Bryna Warshawsky sitting in today -- from the Middlesex London Health Unit.. she will be ready momentarily for your questions
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:45 
5:47
Folks -- please not today's Blog is only for questions about the H1N1 vaccine.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:47 
5:48
I won't be allowing odd comments and such today.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:48 
5:48
[Comment From GrahamGraham: ] 
Ok,, I have a question..How long will the flu last.. from time of infection to total 100% recovery? Also... If you have been exposed to the virus... And then you get the shot... Dose the shot increase your chances of getting H1N1?
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:48 Graham
5:50
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
The symptoms of influenza generally last from 2 to 7 days. The cough however can last longer, sometimes up to a few weeks. You can return to work or school once the fever is gone for 24 hours and you are feeling better.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:50 Dr. Warshawsky
5:52
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
As for your second question, getting the shot if you are exposed does not increase your chance of getting H1N1 infection, however, the vaccine will not protect you if you are already exposed and abotu to come down with infection. It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:52 Dr. Warshawsky
5:53
[Comment From Cpt BlakeCpt Blake: ] 
IF i get H1N1 ....what are the chances of getting it again after i am better???
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:53 Cpt Blake
5:56
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
If you have had H1N1 infection, you will not get it again, at least for a while. The virus can change over time, and it may be possible to get it again if it changes significantly in the future. There are however many other viruses that can cause symptoms similar to influenza, which you can still get if you have already had H1N1 influenza.
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:56 Dr. Warshawsky
5:57
[Comment From Dave CDave C: ] 
is h1n1 much more lethal and deadly in comparison to the regular flu? is it a pandemic like illness that we should worry about more than just the regular flu?
Thursday November 5, 2009 5:57 Dave C
6:02

Hi Folks, Tara here.
Give us a moment.. as the Dr. is going to be live on air.. in a few moments

Thursday November 5, 2009 6:02 
6:02
We appreciate your questions... if they aren't answered here online, they may be answered live on tv throughout our newscast.
Thanks for your patience.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:02 
6:05
I am holding questions in queue -- so the blog doesn't get bogged down. So once the Dr. is done answering questions with Dan on air.. she can answer them
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:05 
6:07
[Comment From SpencerSpencer: ] 
When will people be eligable to get their vaccine shot's? And how long will the flu last?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:07 Spencer
6:12
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
We will be providing the influenza vaccine until everyone who wants one receives it, once everyone is eligible. We don't know how long influenza will last in our community, but influenza usually lasts for at least eight weeks in the community.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:12 Dr. Warshawsky
6:13
[Comment From DebDeb: ] 
If you have had H1N1 already should you still get vaccinated?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:13 Deb
6:16
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
If you have laboratory confirmed H1N1 or influenza A (based on a sample taken from your nose), then you don't need to be vaccinated. However, if you have had symptoms of influenza but have not had a laboratory test to prove it was Pandemic H1N1 influenza (and we are not encouraging testing), then it is possible you had another virus, and would still be at risk for influenza. So without laboratory confirmation of H1N1 or influenza A, you should still be vaccinated even if you were recently ill. You should wait until you are better to get the vaccine.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:16 Dr. Warshawsky
6:16
[Comment From Mary MMary M: ] 
my 3 year old received the first vaccine last Thursday, should she get the 2nd dose? There are conflicting reports about this...
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:16 Mary M
6:21
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
We don't know yet whether children from 6 months to less 10 years of age will need one or two doses. A recent study showed that only one dose may be needed, but this is not definite yet. Keep checking the media or the Health Unit web site www.healthunit.com . We will be letting people know when a definite decision about one dose or two is known for sure.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:21 Dr. Warshawsky
6:22
[Comment From MaryAnnMaryAnn: ] 
I believe my son had a mild case of H1N1 10 days ago..should he still be vaccinated against the virus?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:22 MaryAnn
6:30
[Comment From Valerie PerryValerie Perry: ] 
My 8 year old grandson who is asthmatic had the H1N1 shot on Wednesday at school. Tonight his arm is sore, he has no appetite, and no energy. Is this a common effect of the shot?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:30 Valerie Perry
6:35
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
That is common. A sore arm is the most common side effect, and the other symptoms you are describing can also happen. The symptoms are usually mild and gone in a day or two. Because there is a lot of influenza in our community, he could also be coming down with something. You will likely know tomorrow. If it is the shot, he will likely be better. If he is getting ill with influenza or another virus, he may have more pronounced symptoms tomorrow.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:35 Dr. Warshawsky
6:41
[Comment From TonyTony: ] 
Tara. I am on insulin and I was wondering what effect does this H1N1 have on diabetics? Could it be more severe on me?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:41 Tony
6:45
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
Yes, although the risk of complications from H1N1 is low, peole with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, are at increased risk for the complications. If you are less than 65 years of age, you would be eligible to be vaccinated now. If you are 65 years of age and older, you will need to wait to be vaccinated, but should get vaccinated when you are eligible.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:45 Dr. Warshawsky
6:46
[Comment From PetraPetra: ] 
I just got vaccinated today and I have a baby who is under 6 months old. I forgot to ask the nurse...is it still okay to breastfeed my baby with just getting the shot today?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:46 Petra
6:48
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
Yes, it is perfectly fine to breastfeed the baby after getting the shot.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:48 Dr. Warshawsky
6:48
[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ] 
How do I give my 7 month old the shot when its not been tested fully yet? What if the immunization causes health issues down the road? What are the chances of GBS from the shot?
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:48 Kimberly
6:56
in response to Mary Anns question: here is Dr. Warshawsky's response...

Unless you son was specifically tested for H1N1, it is really difficult to know for sure that he had H1N1 influenza. There are lots of other viruses that can cause similar symptoms. So we do recommend he gets vaccinated. He should wait until he is better to get the vaccine and also should wait until he is eligible to receive it.
Thursday November 5, 2009 6:56 
7:00

MLHealthUnit is the twitter account for the Health unit -- they are updating lineups times.

Thursday November 5, 2009 7:00 
7:00
[Comment From Dr. WarshawskyDr. Warshawsky: ] 
When choosing a vaccine, you always have to weigh the risks and benefits. There is currently a lot of influenza in our community. The vaccine is very similar to the regular seasonal influenza vaccine that we use every year and has been shown to be very safe. The only difference is the addition of an adjuvant (or helper substance) to improve the response to the vaccine. This helper substance has been well studied in adults and there are some studies coming out in children. The adjuvant is made of natural substances that we have in our body. After seaonal influenza vaccine we either don't see Guillian Barre Syndrome or it occurs very rarely. This vaccine is expected to be similar and will be monitored closely.
Thursday November 5, 2009 7:00 Dr. Warshawsky
7:01
We want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. We are sorry we couldn't answer everyones questions this evening.
Thursday November 5, 2009 7:01 
7:01
Right now -- no lineups at any of the middlesex london health unit clinics.
www.healthunit.com for the info.
Thursday November 5, 2009 7:01 
7:02
Thanks everyone for coming out, and thanks to Dr. Bryna Warshawsky for helping us.
Thursday November 5, 2009 7:02 
7:02