H1N1 is a virus that was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. 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. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. Flu symptoms include:

·         fever (not everyone with flu will have a fever)

·         diarrhea and vomiting (sometimes)

·         runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat

·         body aches, headache

·         chills, fatigue

Influenza is thought to spread from person-to-person mainly when infected people cough or sneeze. In 2009, most people with seasonal flu or H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs. However, some people are more likely to get flu complications, such as children younger than 5 years, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people who have weakened immune systems or cancer, lung disease, diabetes, or chronic disorders such as heart, kidney or liver disease. Also, it’s possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu so anyone concerned about their illness should consult a health care provider.  The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidelines for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine (www.cdc.gov).

Proper nutritional support can strengthen your immune system. The following supplements may help to reduce your risk of infection, as well as shorten the duration of symptoms if you do get the flu or a cold: Vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Elderberry extract,  Astragalus, Beta 1-3 glucan, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Vitamin D3, and Probiotics. Ask our pharmacist or professional staff to recommend a quality nutritional supplement.

In addition to fortifying your immune system, take everyday actions to stay healthy, such as covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, washing your hands often, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth which promotes germ spread.

Tamiflu® Shortages - Tamiflu® is a medication which is a prescribed for more serious cases of H1N1 and seasonal flu. Tamiflu® is prescribed as a suspension for children, and our professional compounding staff can assist by compounding this suspension when the manufactured product is not available.

Our compounding pharmacy makes it easy to take your medicine, with customized dosage forms like lozenges and lollipops, medications in topical and transdermal creams and gels which can be absorbed through the skin, and pleasantly-flavored suspensions.

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