Is it H1N1 or seasonal flu and how do we treat it?

Hi Dr. Gupta; I am a 30-year old Consultant and travel cross-country every Monday through Thursday for work. I am not in one of the five high-priority groups as designated by the CDC to receive the H1N1 vaccine, but am considering searching out the vaccine once it becomes available in my area. I feel being on four flights every week gives me greater exposure to potentially infected people, sitting in a confined space, breathing re-circulated air... I've never received the regular flu shot as I'm rarely sick but all this talk about people dying has me concerned. Do you feel I am at a greater risk because I fly so much for work? If so, I'll definitely err on the safe side & just get the vaccine. Thanks.

No matter what I would vaccinate my kids. Deaths for young people have already almost reached the height of last year's flu season and will surpass it. There is no rhyme or reason to what happens when kids get swine flu – most recover – but healthy ones have and continue to die. A new web site, http://www.feelingflu.com, can help you get all of the facts from a healthcare information company that only uses research-based content. It has an assessment you can take to determine if you have the flu or need to be vaccinated.

While at my doctor office yesterday I asked about the H1N1 vaccine. I was told they do not know when or if they will receive any. I was also told it will be very expensive...like $300. Since I do not have health insurance, because I cannot afford it, the expense of the H1N1 vaccine will factor into whether to get the shot. Of course, I am 62 yrs. old, so I am last on the list for the vaccine anyway.

The flu arrived at our house last week. As a single, working parent it was a challenge to convince co-workers and friends that myself and my other child were asymptomatic and okay to walk among our fellow man. I think that we talk too much about one type of flu vs. another and that the goal needs to be wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze, keep your fingers away from your face, stay home if you have a fever and avoid the epidemic of fear. I fell victim to the fear and worked myself into a flare-up of my asthma. It took nearly the same amount of time for me to recover from this as it did for my child to recover from the flu – though my asthma flare-up cost me 3 times as much. Play it smart – work your brain not your fear.

Over the past summer my family and I came down with the flu. When I took my sick 5 years old to the hospital the doctor stated that she may have the H1N1. However, the hospital did not test my daughter to confirm if she had the virus. The doctor stated that they were not testing on a local level. Now, I'm confused wondering if we had the virus or not this summer.
I really do not want to give the vaccine to my kids if they do not need it. Not sure why they stopped testing for the virus. By now, a lot of people going out to get the vaccine may not even need it. Now, the lastest news is there is not enough vaccine. There may people already had the virus trying to get the vacccine. Shouldn't the vaccine be for the people who haven't had the virus? Shouldn't the people who had the virus already not get the vaccine?

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Cheryl Cooper: Your doctor is a crook. The H1N1 vaccine is free. The government has already paid for all the vaccine being manufactured and distributes at no charge to state health department. Some places may charge an "administration fee". But if your doctor is trying to charge $300, he is robbing his patients blind. You should be able to get a free H1N1 vaccine at your local health department, when they have enough available. In the meantime, start looking for a new doctor!

Dr Gupta ~

Sorry, missed putting the word "vaccine" in my post

It has been stated that 1/3 of the deaths related to H1N1 were because of bacterial pneumonia. However, even though the pneumonia VACCINE carries no real risk, I have been denied the ability to get one because I am not over 65, smoke, have asthma or an immune issue.

If the shot carries no real risk, but a possible benefit, why not just make it available to those that wish to reduce their risk (are in the middle age group..40s) and who cannot get an H1N1 shot?

Thanks!