The increasing incidence of whooping cough in adults tells us that we need to really focus in on adult vaccinations or boosters. It is so clear that when you have a baby, there are a series of vaccinations and re-vaccinations that need to be given during their lifestime. As adults, we seem to forget that some of the protection these vaccinations give us is not lifelong. Tetanus seems to be the only booster shot routinely discussed by adults and their doctors. That means that if you are under the care of a physician, and seeing him once a year for a general health check (or for ongoing disease), you need to review your childhood vaccination schedule and determine if you are indeed, due for some boosters. Every city public health agency has the immunization schedule for adults and kids, so if you do not have a regular doctor, you can access this document and decide if you do need to go into a doctor's office for some shots. The danger of having whooping cough is that if you come in contact with an infant not yet immunized, you can infect the child, for whom this disease can be life-threatening.
The latest H1N1 victim in NY was an 11 year old Brooklyn public school student, who did have a pre-existing heart condition. That brings New York City's death from H1N1 total, to 15. Almost all of the deaths were among people who had pre-existing health issues including obesity, asthma, heart disease, diabetes whch explains the viruses ability to compromise those who already struggle with somewhat serious health conditions. With the official name H1N1 pandemic, the CDC and WHO have now clarified the global import (not virulence) of this virus. Understandably, parents are concerned about the seriousness of this virus, and it is certainly imperative that children and teens with any of the above mentioned health situations be in touch with their doctors immediately, if they believe they have contracted the H1N1 flu.
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