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You probably realize that this is the same model as most web sites on the internet and none of the banners or links should in any way be interpreted as guarantees or endorsements of the products or services offered. You should do your own research before you make any purchases.

We take this very seriously, because H1N1 is a very serious problem. We are not medical professionals, but we have tried to take the best information available from the CDC and other government sources and put it into easy to understand language. However, nothing on this site should be interpreted as medical advice.

If you believe that you or someone you care about might be suffering from H1N1, please seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.

H1N1 and Health Insurance

The health insurance angle to the swine flu pandemic in the United States is amazing.

Very few average people are considering their health insurance, because it is not as interesting or exciting as the issues around the symptoms and treatment of the illness.

However, medical insurance is an issue that many public health officials and journalists are concerned about. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is encouraging consumers to review their health care plans as they relate to the so-called Swine Flu.

Many state health agencies are urging people to check their insurance, and, in fact, the information on this page is largely drawn from health insurance checklists drawn up by the states of Ohio and Michigan.

Kathy Kristoff of CBS Moneywatch notes that, “Those who do have insurance are finding that their coverage varies widely, with some companies covering the treatment in full and others demanding large co-payments.”

According to another recent report California insurance companies deny an average of 21% of all claims, so you need to know your coverage.

Understand Your Health Insurance coverage

It’s always important to understand just what you health insurance policy covers, but with the potential for an increased demand for health care services, you need to be even more aware of your specific plan details. Read your policy carefully and consider the following questions:

• Do you have a cost-sharing responsibility for flu vaccinations? Many health insurance policies have co-payments for seasonal flu vaccinations.
• Ask your insurance company if you will have a co-pay for the seasonal flu vaccine and what the cost will be.
• Is the vaccination covered by your insurance? The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine are normally administered separately. The U.S. government is covering the cost of the H1N1 vaccine, but you may be charged its administration. Check with your insurance company to see if your coverage includes the seasonal flu vaccine and extends to the administration of the H1N1 vaccine.
• What is your co-payment for the most common H1N1 treatments? The two drugs doctors can prescribe to treat H1N1 flu are Tamiflu and Relenza.
• In addition, you should know of any limitations on the number of doses covered by your policy – per prescription or per year.
• Is your coverage accepted at walk-in care facilities? If your area is heavily affected by the spread of the H1N1 flu outbreak, your regular physician might not be able to see you in a timely manner.
• What is your out-of-network co-payment? If you must go to an out-of-network provider, be aware you will likely pay a higher co-payment for your office visit and any tests run during the visit.
• Check with your insurance company to determine if you have coverage for vaccines received at drug stores, employers’ offices and schools. Some health plans, including Medicare Advantage plans, only provide coverage for vaccines received from designated providers.

Be prepared in case you or a family member do become infected:

• Have your health insurance ID card readily available.
• Review your health insurance policy provisions. Know which doctors and hospitals are in your network.
• Make note of your co-payments. Know how much a doctor’s office visit will cost.
• Keep handy a list of pharmacies and medications covered under your policy.
• If you have plans to travel, make sure you check to see if there are any doctors or medical facilities in-network where you will be visiting.
• Ask your employer or insurance company for any and all applicable health insurance information that might be available to you in a simple-to-reference format.
• Post this information where it can easily be accessed by everyone.

Best Bets For H1N1 Coverage

However, some insurance companies are taking action positive action. Tim Bireley, VP, Guardian Group Medical, the health insurance division of the Gaurdian Group Life Insurance Company of America said, “Guardian decided to cover the costs associated with administering the vaccine…” That’s a very good sign if you are covered by the Guardian, but you are still only covered for actual treatments if you become ill with Swine Flu under the specific provisions of your individual plan.”

Aetna, United Health Care, and several other companies have also made similar decisions, but you should definitely review your policy.

Here’s a report from the state of Texas on what H1N1 related expenses insurance companies in that state are covering: Texas Health Insurance Companies

Remember, the coverage might be different in your state, so check your companies web site.  Generally, the companies that are covering H1N1 expenses are announcing the  fact prominently on the front page of their company’s web site.

Short Term Insurance

You might also consider a short term plan if you are uninsured or short term additional coverage if you are already insured, particularly from one of the companies that have said the y will cover H1N1 expenses.

Remember, H1N1 is not a pre-existing condition. You can probably buy a short term additional coverage if you are otherwise fairly healthy. Then when the threat has lessened you simply let the coverage lapse.

Costs vary a lot depending on age, whether you smoke, and where you live. In a recent test for short term rates on eHealthInsurance a company that compares rates from a variety of companies online, a single thirty-year-old non-smoking male living in the greater Los Angeles area were as cheap as $68.00 a month and only $41.00 a month if that person lived in rural Missouri.

eHealthInsurance can give you a free quote.  All you have to do is simply fill out a short application.  It’s definitely worth taking a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire.  You don’t have to buy anything, but you will get  a much better idea of how good your insurance coverage really is and what it would cost for additional coverage.

However, remember there is more to health insurance than the cost, so be sure to check on deductibles, coverage, co-pays, and the other details.

News, US Government and UN Updates, and Medical Advice For Health Care Providers

H1n1 In The News

• Key Peptides Identified That Could Lead To A Universal Vaccine For Influenza - Researchers at the University of Southampton, University of Oxford and Retroscreeen Virology Ltd have discovered a series of peptides, found on the internal structures of influenza viruses that could lead to the development of a universal vaccine for influenza, one that gives people immunity against all strains of the disease, including seasonal, avian, and swine flu. Influenza, an acute viral infection, affects hundreds of thousands of people a year and puts an enormous strain on healthcare providers globally... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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• Researchers identify key peptides that could lead to a universal vaccine for influenza - (University of Southampton) Researchers at the University of Southampton, University of Oxford and Retroscreen Virology Ltd have discovered a series of peptides, found on the internal structures of influenza viruses that could lead to the development of a universal vaccine for influenza, one that gives people immunity against all strains of the disease, including seasonal, avian, and swine flu. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)
• A case of novel swine influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia complicated with virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome - Abstract  Influenza related to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis have sporadically been reported. However, influenza A (H1N1)-virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) has rarely been reported. A 39-year old woman complained of high fever and was referred to us. Chest infiltrations in both lungs and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimen was confirmed and she was diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia. Pancytopenia was found, and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) was diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration. Following intravenous administration of antiflu drug and combination therapy of steroid pulse and erythromycin IV, the patient’s respiratory dysfunction a...
• Older adults may be vulnerable to new swine flu virus - There may be a lot more vulnerability in the population to a new swine influenza virus than was first thought, new Canadian research suggests. (Source: CTV Health)
• Cross-reactive antibody to swine influenza A(H3N2) subtype virus in children and adults before and after immunisation with 2010/11 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in Canada, August to November 2010 - (Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

US Government Feed

• WHO Landmark Global Agreement on Flu Virus Sharing Improves Global Preparedness for Influenza Pandemics - After a week of negotiations continued through Friday night and into Saturday morning, an open-ended working-group meeting of Member States successfully agreed upon a framework to ensure that in a pandemic, influenza virus samples will be shared with partners who need the information to take steps to protect public health.
• U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)Funds Advanced Development of New Influenza Antiviral - A contract has been awarded to develop a long-acting single-dose antiviral drug for use in the United States, the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) announced today.
• New Consumer-Focused Immunization Website, www.vaccines.gov - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled an innovative new website to help parents and other consumers learn about the most effective way to protect themselves and their children from infectious diseases and learn about immunization.
• Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in the Peri- and Postpartum Settings - Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in the Peri- and Postpartum Settings
• Research Shows Single Change in H1N1 Virus Makes the Virus Bind More Easily to Human Cells and Transmits the Virus More Efficiently in Ferrets - The 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus continues to circulate among the human population as the predominant H1N1 subtype.

UN Feed

• Influenza update - 03 June 2011
• Influenza update - 20 May 2011
• Influenza update - 06 May 2011
• Influenza update - 21 April 2011
• Influenza update - 08 April 2011

Medical News

• Panel Speaks Out on Flu Censorship Controversy - The recommendation to redact two studies on the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus was “unprecedented” in the life sciences, according to the panel of scientists who made the suggestion.
• Bird Flu Research Debate Leaves Docs Up in the Air - What should be done about controversial research on the H5N1 avian flu that some think should be suppressed and others think has important benefits that should be pursued?
• Time in ER Sends Infection Back to Nursing Home - An emergency department visit may triple the risk of respiratory and GI infections for nursing home residents, researchers found.
• Flu Researchers Will Halt Controversial Studies for 60 Days - Scientists involved in controversial influenza research say they'll halt such studies for 60 days to allow discussion of how their findings should be reported.
• New Analysis Challenges Tamiflu Efficacy - A new review of the influenza drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) has raised questions about both the efficacy of the medication and the commitment of its maker to supply enough data for claims about the drug to be evaluated by independent experts.

This site is an effort to take the best official information about the impact of H1N1 on children and put it into easy to understand to understand language.

Some insurance companies are NOT paying for H1N1 related expenses! Do you know what your company’s policy is?  We recently added a page about H1N1 and your health insurance , because those issues are so complicated and so important for health care in the United State.

We have a great report from the Texas Department of Insurance on what expenses insurance companies are paying, a check list on the questions you should consider about your coverage, and some strategies about buying short term coverage if you are uninsured or under insured.  Check it out: H1N1 and Insurance.

Swine Flu In Children

Many of the early cases of Swine flu appeared to disproportionally effect children.  Though, it is not been firmly established it appears that children and young people born after the late 1970s may be more at risk than other elements of the population, because they do not have not been exposed to a Swine Flu virus before this outbreak.

Parents, teachers, and others who interact with children are justified to be concerned about H1N1, but, remember, most people, including children, infected with the H1N1 virus, also known as the Swine Flu, in the United States have had mild disease, but some have had more severe illness, and young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection.

In fact, people with respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or emphysema, are particularly vulnerable to the Swine Flu.  In layman’s terms, severe cases of the Swine Flu sometimes cause viral pneumonia deep within the lungs and that is the main thing that makes it so dangerous.  So, anyone with a pre-existing respiratory  condition, and perhaps even heavy smokers should be particularly concerned about H1N1.

However, there are steps you can take to protect your family and to know when to seek medical care.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Chills and fatigue
• Body aches
• Headache
• Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea

H1N1 Symptoms In Children

Young children with Swine Flu may have difficulty breathing and low activity, but few other symptoms. There is little is known about how H1N1 may affect children. However, the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, common seasonal flu infections cause mild cases in children, however parents should always pay special attention to children under 5 years of age, because they are more likely to become seriously ill than older children. Rarely, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths occur with flu infections in children, and obviously flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions.

If your child is under five years of age or has a serious pre-existing condition pay extra attention to the possibility of H1N1.

Prevention

H1N1, like all flu viruses, spreads from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. H1N1 may also spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Generally, it is believed that H1N1 spreads the same way as other flu viruses. Right now, there is no vaccine available to protect against H1N1, but everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like Swine Flu:

• Be sure your children wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Teach them by setting a good example, but also because you can infect your children through unsanitary practices.
• Children should be taught to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow, and you should set the example for them.
  Teach your children to stay away from people who are sick.
• Sick children should stay home from school and daycare and until they are better
• If you live in a community where H1N1 has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.

Treating Swine Flu In Children

Keep sick children with Swine Flu at home unless they must go out for medical attention. Do not send them to school or daycare.
 This is critical to keep the H1N1 virus from infecting other children.

Be sure that they drink plenty of liquids, because dehydration is a major concern with the flu.
  Rest and comfort are important for sick children.

Use fever‐reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age. However, DO NOT use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life‐threatening illness.

Keep sick members of you family away from those that are not sick. In fact, if it is possible it is not a bad idea to have any other uninfected children stay with friends or relatives for the duration of their brother or sisters illness. It is stressful enough to take care of one child ill with Swine Flu, but taking care of several is simply overwhelming.

Be sure that the sick person has tissues available for coughing and sneezing and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues.

If your child does come into contact with someone with H1N1, ask your doctor if he or she should receive antiviral medicines to prevent getting sick from H1N1.

If your child, particularly small children, exhibits any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:

• Trouble breathing, including rapid breathing.
• Gray or bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being irritable and not wanting to be held
• Not urinating or no tears when crying
• The symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Always pay particular attention to respiratory problems, particularly if they are accompanied with any of the flu like symptoms listed above, and when in doubt seek ALWAYS seek the advice of a medical professional.  This situation is too important for guess work.

This blog has made every effort to be accurate and up to date, but for the latest news about new check out our H1N1
News page.

Also, the best source of detailed information on the web on any disease is at the CDC. They have a ton of information, but it is not the most readable site for the average person. In fact we created this site mostly to put the main points from over there in plain language.

Finally, nothing on this site should be construed as medical advice. DON’T TAKE A CHANCE WITH YOUR CHILD! IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR CHILD MIGHT HAVE H1N1 CALL YOUR DOCTOR.