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Influenza Season 2009/2010 - Public Information: What To Do and Why (.pdf)

Flu Facts - A comparison between H1N1 and seasonal flu (.pdf)

Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Screening Forms
To help expedite your appointment, please print and complete the appropriate assessment form(s) below (one for each patient) and bring the form(s) with you to your appointment:
Adult Screening Form
Pediatric Screening Form

H1N1 vaccination now available to all beneficiaries

BJACH is now offering the H1N1 vaccination to family members, retirees, and other DoD-eligible beneficiaries, regardless of their risk categories, who normally receive their care at the facility.

Patients may walk in to the BJACH Immunizations Clinic for their H1N1 vaccination on Monday from 9-11 am, on Wednesday from 9-11 am, or on Friday from 1-3 pm. Patients who prefer to make an appointment or who want information about the vaccine may call the Immunizations Clinic at 531-3593 Monday through Friday between 8 am to 4 pm.

BJACH is also coordinating with units on Fort Polk to arrange for vaccination of all military personnel. Individuals should contact their respective chains of command for details.

Information on vaccinations for DA Civilian personnel and mission essential contract employees will be announced at a future date. However, civilian employees and contractors are encouraged to visit their healthcare provider or public health clinic if they desire to obtain the vaccine sooner, as the state of Louisiana announced on 4 January 2010 that the vaccine is now available to anyone in the general public.

H1N1 Vaccine

The H1N1 vaccine is different from the Seasonal Flu vaccine, which is already available at the hospital for non- Active Duty beneficiaries and at the Preventive Medicine Clinic for Active Duty service members. The H1N1 vaccine comes in either a nasal spray or an injectable form. The nasal spray is a live attenuated vaccine, available to ages 2-49 years who do not have a contraindication to the live vaccine. All others should expect to receive the injected form of the vaccine, which is not a live form.

The minimum age to receive the vaccine is 6 months. There is no maximum age; however, individuals over the age of 24 without underlying medical conditions are considered low risk for H1N1. It should also be noted that children age 9 and under require a second dosage of the vaccine one month later. BJACH is tentatively planning to offer this follow-up vaccine during the week of 11-14 January 2010.

This initial four day vaccination effort is only for high risk patients and does not include family members of high risk patients. The following is a list of high risk individuals as defined by the state of Louisiana:

• Pregnant women
• Immunocompromised adults: any chronic underlying medical condition that makes an individual more susceptible to a more severe illness should they acquire an H1N1 infection (examples of these chronic medical conditions include, but are not limited to: Cancer, Diabetes, Kidney Disease, Liver disease and Congenital Birth Defect affecting the Cardiovascular or Pulmonary Systems)
• Moderate to Severe Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Cystic Fibrosis or other chronic lung disorders
• Caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and Emergency Medical Services personnel (note: people in this category must NOT be an Active Duty Soldier and must eligible for care at BJACH in order to get their immunization at BJACH next week)
• Beneficiaries between the ages of 6 months to 24 years

Patients may call now to schedule H1N1 appointments by contacting the BJACH Call Center at 531-3011 after 10:00 a.m. daily.

Pregancy and the H1N1 Vaccine
BJACH strongly encourages all of its beneficiaries who are pregnant, both uniformed members and non-uniformed members, to obtain the H1N1 vaccine. Pregnancy is one of the conditions that places an individual in the medically high risk category for complications that could occur from exposure to the H1N1 virus.

Active Duty/Reserve Component members may visit the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) Center or Department of Preventive Medicine (DPM) on a walk-in basis between Monday through Friday, 0800-1600.

Non-uniformed pregnant beneficiaries may visit the BJACH Immunization Clinic on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, 0800-1600.

BJACH will also be contacting pregnant beneficiaries by phone to urge them to receive their vaccinations.

Influenza and your children

   Things to know about the Novel Influenza (H1N1): this flu strain is actually milder than the normal seasonal flu. Flu symptoms include fever of greater than 100.5 degrees F (38 degrees C) and a cough or sore throat. Flu is spread through close contact - passing droplets with coughing, sneezing or from an infected hand. Only those seriously ill or who have certain chronic medical conditions will need anti-viral medications. Most people who become ill with the flu can be treated symptomatically with Tylenol, getting rest and staying at home until their symptoms have resolved. It is recommended that children never take aspirin for fever.

   You can help control the spread of any flu by following these tips: Cover your nose and mouth using the sleeve of your shirt when you cough or sneeze. Kids like to imagine Count Dracula using his cape as an illustration. Dispose of tissues immediately - don't leave them lying around or stuff them in your pockets. Wash your hands often with warm, soapy water or hand sanitizer and immediately after you sneeze or blow your nose.

   Anyone with the flu should be considered contagious for 24 hours after the symptoms resolve. People with suspected flu should stay home from work and children should be kept out of school or daycare. Sick people should also avoid air travel. If you have concerns about the severity of your child's illness, make an appointment with your primary care provider by calling the BJACH appointment line at 531-3011.

   Complications from the flu are more likely if your child has a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, a metabolic disorder, or a neurologic disorder. Therefore more diligence in preventing the flu is necessary to keep your child safe with good hand washing, cough etiquette and seeing a provider if symptoms develop.

What to do if you think you have the H1N1 Influenza virus:

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:

• Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible. Rest and take plenty of fluids.
• Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing and dispose of the used tissues properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Inform family and friends about your illness and seek help for household chores that require contact with other people such as shopping.

If you need medical attention:

• Contact your doctor or healthcare provider before travelling to see them and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have swine influenza (for example, if you have recently travelled to a country where there is a swine influenza outbreak in humans).
• Follow the advice given to you for care.
• Take care to cover your nose and mouth during travel.

H1N1 for Soldiers and Families
 http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

H1N1 for Clinicians
 http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/

Additional Resources
 http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/

 http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/news/releases/20090604h1n1flu.cfm

Military Monitors H1N1 With Focus on Protecting Force:
 http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54088

Army Surgeon General Blog, H1N1 Flu Update:
 https://blog.amedd.army.mil/tsg/

Influenza Fact Sheet:
 http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH%20influenza.pdf

Health Affairs H1N1 Flu page:
 http://www.health.mil/swineflu

H1N1 Flu Frequently Asked Questions

H1N1 Flu Brochure

For additional measures to care for yourself or others please go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/.