This page began as a resource after our H1N1 special, "H1N1: What You Need to Know". Every Friday, NECN is bringing a health expert in to answer more of your questions about the H1N1 virus, the vaccine program, and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. We'll post some of the Q and A sessions here - and you can search the page for keywords for answers to your questions.
November 6, 2009 - Dr. Sean Palfrey, Boston Medical Center
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1. My baby had part 1 of both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines - but her doctor does not have part 2 for either shot. Will delaying the second part of the vaccination have a negative impact?
2. When receiving the nasal "mist" vaccine - how long does the virus remain live in your system? 3. If a child has had swine flu-like symptoms in the past, is it necessary for him to get the shot? 4. If someone coughs into their hand and then touches something, how long is the surface contagious? |
On October 29 at 7pm, NECN presented a two-hour question-and-answer session about the H1N1 (swine) flu entitled "H1N1: What You Need to Know". We took your questions via email, phone and Twitter and asked them to a panel of experts from a number of different medical backgrounds.
The panelists included: Dr. Anita Barry - Director, Infectious Disease Bureau, Boston Public Health Commission Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe - Pediatrician and CEO/Editor-in-Chief of "Pediatrics Now" Dr. Richard Zane - Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Dr. Myechia Jordan - Medical Director, Dimock Community Health Center, Boston Dr. Alasdiar Conn - Chief of Emergency Services, Mass General Hospital Dr. Laura Riley - OB/GYN, Mass General Hospital Dr. Jodie Dionne-Odom, State of New Hampshire Deputy Epidemiologist
During the two-hour broadcast, our panelists answered dozens of viewer-submitted questions - we've put some of the answers below in hopes that they'll help you make informed decisions about H1N1, seasonal flu and vaccinations.
| What are the biggest misconceptions you are hearing about H1N1 and the H1N1 vaccine? | |
| I am a new mother - should I leave my job to protect my baby from the flu, and what can I do to protect my infant? | |
| What are the differences between H1N1 and seasonal flu? | |
| Can you catch H1N1 from pigs? Can they catch it from humans? | |
| Why is it taking so long for the vaccine and other resources to fight H1N1? | |
| I've heard the nasal mist H1N1 vaccine is a "live virus" vaccine. Can I catch H1N1 from it? | |
| Should I get the nasal vaccine or the injectable vaccine? What if I (or someone near me) has a compromised immune system? | |
| I heard the H1N1 vaccine hasn't been properly tested in the U.S. Who makes it, and should I be afraid of it? | |
| How long does it take from when you get the vaccine to when you are fully protected from the virus? | |
| How long does it take from when you get the vaccine to when you are fully protected from the virus? | |
| What advice do you have for pregnant and post-partum women about the vaccines and their safety, and should I be concerned about thimerosol? | |
| If I have had what I think was swine flu, should I get vaccinated anyway? And if I have the flu now, is it H1N1? | |
| Why do kids need two doses of H1N1 vaccine and adults just one - and would a second one give me more protection? | |
| What about college kids? What's the recommended protocol for H1N1 in dorms and similar settings? | |
| What should I do if I or my kids may have been exposed to H1N1? |
Your answer not here? We're still adding more questions, or look to our H1N1 resource page for links to other information sources.
