Memphis and Shelby County Health Department Encourages Resident To Get The H1N1 Vaccine & Parents Are Reminded To Get The Second Dose of H1N1 Vaccine For Children Under 10 Years Old

MEMPHIS, TENN. – H1N1 vaccine is in ample supply. Given this, officials from the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department want to remind the public of two things: 1) don’t become complacent and 2) if you’re a parent, make sure that your child receives the vaccine. The vaccine is available at no charge at Health Department-operated public health clinics and locations where the Health Department is administering H1N1 vaccine.

What Is H1N1?

Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.

Symptoms and Side Effects

The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of this virus.

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