All of our children had H1N1 virus this past week. For some of them it was a particularly virulent form, with fevers of more than 105 F and a lot of worrying on our part. The pediatrician prescribed our youngest daughter, who is a little older than a year, Tamiflu, and told us to give the other children Tylenol and Motrin and keep them hydrated. Basically the virus had to run its course. 

I would have had my children vaccinated if they hadn’t gotten H1N1 already. 

The debate over vaccinations has always been heated, with some parents accepting vaccinations for their kids as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, others deciding not to vaccinate their kids at all, and some choosing a few specific vaccines or choosing a different timeline. 

H1N1 fueled this debate even more. Among the most common concerns for those against the H1N1 vaccine is the fact that it’s new and there’s the perception that it has been created quickly and distributed with short clinical trial. There’s also the fear that the vaccine contains “adjuvants,” which may stimulate the immune system but some people blame for side-effects. 

However, most scientists consider adjuvants safe and there are no adjuvants used in the vaccine in the U.S. Then there’s some concern that the 1970s swine flu vaccine may have caused some cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disorder. But, there is no evidence that this new vaccine is anything but safe.

 

Those who support the vaccine point to some of the risks associated with swine flu — including deaths of children and younger people and possible serious complications — to support the decision to get their children vaccinated. Supporters also cite that the vaccine was created the same way as the regular flu vaccine. Of course, for opponents, that may be a drawback because it means the vaccine contains trace amounts of thimerosol, a preservative that anti-vaccine proponents suspect is dangerous, but doctors and scientists generally insist is benign. 

But, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) comes down firmly on the side of vaccination. The CDC recommends that certain individuals get vaccinated — health care workers, pregnant women, care givers for children six months or younger, people age six to 24, and those at high risk for H1N1 complications who have an underlying condition, such as asthma, kidney failure, an autoimmune disease, and diabetes. 

But be warned about hunting down the vaccine on your own. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says to avoid HIN1 treatments sold over the Internet. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, “Medicines purchased from websites operating outside the law put consumers at increased risk due to a higher potential that the products will be counterfeit, impure, contaminated or have too little or too much of the active ingredient," according to CNN.

Prevention is key and if you do get sick with the flu, don’t forget to think of others. Stay home and wait at least 24 after your fever has dissipated to go to work or school. What’s more, wash your hands and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Most of all, if you get the swine flu, don’t panic. It’s going to be miserable, but for the vast majority of people, it won’t be dangerous. 

For more information contact your local health department or go to www.cdc.gov, www.flu.gov, or check out Military.com's Benefits Channel.