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2009 H1N1 FluBookmark and Share

 


Dr. Richard Zane, vice-chair of Emergency Medicine, answers commonly asked questions about the H1N1 (swine flu) virus including transmission, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Watch Dr. Zane in Nasal or Needle?, a New England Cable News Special on H1N1.

H1N1, previously called “swine flu” is a type of flu, which is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, and general weakness. The best way to prevent against H1N1 and seasonal flu is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner. 

BWH continues to receive limited supplies of the H1N1 vaccine, and we now have enough for a central H1N1 flu clinic this Saturday, Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (or until supply lasts) at 45 Francis St. Lower Lobby.

Due to our limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine, this clinic on Saturday is available only to those BWH patients and BWH employees who meet the following criteria:

  • Health care workers providing direct care to patients;
  • Pregnant and post-partum women;
    *Patients (age 15 or older) who are household contacts of pregnant women in their 3rd trimester;
  • *Patients (age 15 or older) who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months old;
  • *Patients age 15 – 24 years;
  • *Patients age 25 – 64 with any of the following risk factor(s):
    • Asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases
    • Cardiovascular disease (except hypertension)
    • Renal disease
    • Liver disease
    • Aspiration risk due to cognitive, neurologic, or neuromuscular disease
    • Metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
    • Immunosupression (including chemotherapy, HIV, hematologic disease)

*BWH is not licensed to administer this vaccine to anyone younger than 15 at this clinic.

Parking for the Central Flu Clinic is available in the Service Center garage, which is located on the corner of Binney and Francis streets, across from the Main Entrance to the hospital. For more information on getting to the hospital, check our directions or watch a video showing hospital entrances and parking options. BWH patients that fall within these guidelines can also contact their BWH health care provider for additional information on how to receive the H1N1 vaccine.  Additional shipments of doses are expected to continue through the fall and early winter. 


H1N1 Q&A
Read more about H1N1 including who is at risk for contracting this novel influenza, how to protect yourself and others and what to do if you become ill in our commonly asked questions about H1N1.  


Flu Vaccines
BWH has received a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine. The distribution of the vaccine is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the top priority groups for distribution continue to be those at greatest risk. 

Pregnant Women
Pregnant women have been identified as a high-risk population.  BWH recommends that all pregnant women recieve both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccine, when available.           


Additional Resources

 

 

 
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This page was last modified on 11/19/2009