Photo by Colleen Reynolds Medical professionals at Hackensack University Medical Center recently held a forum on the H1N1 flu virus.

By Colleen Reynolds / Reporter

HACKENSACK (Nov. 5, 2009) — Dispensing pocket-size bottles of clear hand sanitizer and personal packs of white tissues, Hackensack University Medical Center and its Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital attracted an audience of more than 100 concerned locals to its H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Community Forum at the Hackensack University Medical Plaza, Wednesday, Oct. 28.

A panel of health-care experts sought to address questions and allay fears regarding prevention, vaccinations and symptoms of the novel H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, which has sparked a declaration of a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Symptoms of swine flu may include fever, fatigue, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, chills and progression to respiratory distress, seizures and disorientation. Vomiting and diarrhea may also be more common with H1N1 than with regular influenza.

“Hand washing is your best friend,” said Doctor Joseph Feldman, chairman of emergency medicine at HUMC.

That is, a thorough washing with soap and warm water.

Other recommended preventative measures are similar to those for avoiding many illnesses: avoiding contact with people who are ill, covering coughs and sneezes (preferably with a tissue or elbow as opposed to a hand), staying home from school or work if ill for at least 24 hours after a fever dissipates and getting vaccinated. The virus can survive on surfaces for two to eight hours.

The panelists also recommended following public health advisories such as avoiding crowds. But, “people have been pulling their children out of school and sending them to the mall,” noted Feldman. “There’s no difference. A close environment is a close environment.”

At the same time, “you shouldn’t come to the emergency room because you feel ill and think you might have swine flu. …The vast majority of people do not need to be seen (in a hospital). They should stay home,” said Doctor Jeffrey R. Boscamp, chairman of pediatrics at the children’s hospital, noting that the virus has been more concentrated in younger people than regular flu and that people born before 1957 are less likely to be affected than those younger than 25, who have less immunity to it.

Medical attention should be sought, however, if a child demonstrates rapid or difficulty breathing; has a bluish skin color (cyanosis); is not taking in enough fluids; is not waking up or interacting; is irritable to the point of not wanting to be held; if flulike symptoms improve, but then return with a fever or worsening cough; or if a fever appears with a rash.

Adults should seek urgent medical care if they experience difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion or severe or persistent vomiting.

The initial target groups for the H1N1 virus and its vaccines are those between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, caretakers or those who share a household with infants younger than six months, pregnant women, health-care workers and non-elderly adults (ages 25-65) who have certain risk factors such as asthma, obesity or a compromised immune system that may put them at risk for complications from the flu.

The doctors and nurses at the forum noted that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and is available in two forms: an injectable form that contains inactivated virus and an intranasal (spray) vaccine that contains a live virus. Contraindications of the spray form include having egg allergies, pregnancy and being younger than 2 or older than 50.

In addition to providing information, the health-care experts also sought to dispel any hogwash surrounding the H1N1 virus.

“You don’t get swine flu from a pig, but I don’t recommend this practice,” Boscamp noted, referring to a photograph of a towheaded toddler planting a wet kiss on the snout of a pig.  

Attendees were appreciative of the forum.

“I learned a great deal,” said Alexandra Lehman of Ridgewood. “And I always knew about washing my hands, but now I’m going to be more careful to do it.”

Lehman is not concerned about contracting the virus, she said, because her age makes her a less likely candidate for it, “but my grandchildren are the ones I’m concerned about.”

Robin Miller of Hillsdale said she is worried about catching H1N1, but is following the recommended guidelines to stay healthy. “I learned that the vaccines are safe. I didn’t know that before. … I decided I’m going to vaccinate my child.”

For more information, call the state Department of Health H1N1 hotline at 866-321-9571 or visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, www.flu.gov, www.nj.gov/health/flu/h1n1 or (for pediatric-specific information) www.aap.org.

Shipments of the H1N1 vaccine are arriving in the state each week, with flu clinics being scheduled by local health departments and other providers as they are received. In Lyndhurst, for example, Dr. Byong Park of United Medical PC has the H1N1 vaccine available by appointment for anyone in the priority groups, regardless of residence. Call 201-460-0063 for appointments and ext. 229 for more information.