H1N1 undetected infections?

[Portia]

I've only heard a little about the virus recently but I suspect that there are further infections. I guess with the weather and all, the effects may not be so serious (some people may be immune but carrying the virus?). What do you think about the possible spread?

[Ami]

Dear Portia
 When I was younger, I remember a Swine Flu scare. It passed. I pray this one does ,too.       xxxoo   Ami

[Portia]

Thanks for your reply Ami. I guess everything passes, so I'm not scared of any scare. Events just have to be dealt with.

[teartracks]

Hi Portia,

My mom was a Yogi Berra in her own way.  She said, You know you only have to die once!  So that's my position on how the H1N1 might effect me.  I'm definitely cynical about the hype on it.

tt

[JustKathy]

They were doing a vaccine day at my local pharmacy, and I decided to pass, and take my chances. I have a friend who is a health care worker, and was required to get the vaccine. She got VERY sick from it. Maybe I'm being foolish, but I'm more afraid of the vaccine than I am of the flu.

[teartracks]

On a recent visit to my GP, I asked him if he was going to get the flu vaccine.  He indicated that as a health care provider, he was required to get it.  My question didn't specify H1N1.  Does anyone know if health care providers are required to get the H1N1 vaccine?

I'm not getting it.

tt

[Portia]

Thanks for all the replies here. Easy to get either paranoid or too blase about this stuff. As a hermit, i think I'll keep a wary eye on new people I come into contact with, to be on the safe side!

[HeartofPilgrimage]

I have heard of one or two confirmed cases but it doesn't seem like an epidemic. More cases of the "regular" flu. I think whether or not health care providers are required by the state depends upon the state you live in (for the u.S.). If you work in a large organization like a hospital your work might require it.

Basically what I've heard is that the swine flu is miserable but then so is all flu.

[Portia]

Thanks Heart of P. I wasn't thinking about doctors or health care organisations, rather contact with new regular folk, but that was interesting anyway. Yes all flu is miserable. I hope I don't come into contact with any new strains and I hope you all don't either

[JustKathy]

Does anyone know if health care providers are required to get the H1N1 vaccine?

As far as I can tell, yes, they are. My friend, who is a nurse, was required to get it. Her husband is a surgeon and works at a hospital, and he was required to get both regular flu and H1N1.

[Logy]

My daughter is a nurse in an ICU unit of a major hospital.  She tried to get the vaccine through work and was not able to get it, though she showed up for multiple clinics but was told they ran out of vaccine.  Many of the patients she treated were there due to severe H1N1 complications, yet her hospital allowed her to work without the vaccine.  However, she could have received the live vaccine but refused it.  The killed vaccine was safer (as she learned) but was not available to her and not required by the hospital.

So, no, she was not required to get it even though she was a health care provider. 

[JustKathy]

I think it depends on the hospital/medical facility - no state or federal law. My friend who got it did so because she was required by the hospital she works for. I think she also got the live vaccine, which is what made her so sick.