Poll Finds People Think H1N1 Threat Over

H1N1 caused a public panic just a few months ago, with people clamoring for the hard to get H1N1 flu vaccine. According to a Harvard poll, released on February 5, 2010; nearly half of the people in America believed that the H1NI outbreak is over, according to a poll by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) continues to recommend getting the H1N1 flu vaccine, in addition to seasonal flu vaccine.

H1N1, originally called Swine Flu, was predicted to be a pandemic, causing a public outcry for the vaccine, which was initially in short supply Harvard researchers found that the level of concern about getting sick with H1N1 in declining. About 44% of the people surveyed believe that the flu outbreak is almost over. Only 18% think that it is 'very likely' there will be another widespread outbreak on H1n1 in the next 12 months.

The vaccine was in short supply at first, but now the people surveyed believed there is enough in supply for everyone who wants a vaccine to get one. At this point more that half of the parents either have already gotten their children vaccinated or intend to get vaccinations for their children by the end of February, 2010.

While the public perception may be that the H1N1 crisis is over, the Center for Disease Control continues to recommend getting an influenza vaccination as the first step in protecting against the flu.

According to a press statement from the CDC, 'The H1N1 vaccination remains a good idea for this very preventable and sometimes serious disease. H1N1 flu activity seems to have leveled off, but the virus does continue to circulate, causing illness, hospitalizations and deaths.'

CDC is now encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against H1N1, including people aged 65 years and older. People over 65 are less likely to get sick if they get H1N1, but are more likely to have complications if they do get sick. Vaccination is also important for people with certain health conditions. Health conditions that are associated with complications from H1N1 include lung disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD), diabetes, heart disease, neurological disease and pregnancy.

The 2009 H1N1 infections have been ongoing in the United States. Most of the people who have become ill with H1N1 have recovered without needing medical treatment, according to the CDC.

H1N1 is a contagious virus that spreads through human contact through coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces with flu germs. People infected with the H1N1 flu virus may be contagious from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after getting side. The CDC recommends that people who are sick with flu symptoms should stay home until they are well and to stay home for at lease a full 24 hours after the fever is gone.

Even though cases of H1N1 have leveled off and there is a public perception that the flu threat is not serious, the Center for Disease Control continues to recommend getting a H1N1 flu vaccine, in addition to a seasonal flu vaccine.

Resources:

Center for Disease Control

EurekAlert: Harvard School of Public Health - Nearly half of American believe H1N1 outbreak is over, poll finds. 5-Feb-2010

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