2009-10 Influenza ( Flu ) Season
What sort of flu season is expected this year ? Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways , including the timing of the beginning , severity , and length of the flu season . This flu season ( 2009-2010 ), there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus ( previously called “ novel H1N1 ” or “ swine flu ”) that has caused the first influenza pandemic ( global outbreak of disease ) in more than 40 years . Severity is uncertain . Many people do not have immune protection against this new and very different 2009 H1N1 virus , which has spread worldwide quickly and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization ( WHO ). Scientists believe the 2009 H1N1 virus – along with regular seasonal viruses – will cause illness , hospital stays , and deaths this flu season in the United States .
Will this year ’ s seasonal flu vaccine be a good match for circulating viruses ? It ’ s not possible to predict with certainty which seasonal flu viruses will predominate during a given season or what the severity , timing , or duration of a flu season will be . Flu viruses are constantly changing ( called drift ) – they can change from one season to the next or they can even change within the course of one flu season . Experts must pick which viruses to include in the vaccine many months in advance in order for vaccine to be produced and delivered on time . Because of these factors , there is always the possibility of a less than optimal match between circulating flu viruses and the viruses in the seasonal flu vaccine . This season , the 2009 H1N1 virus is circulating in the U . S ., a seasonal vaccine will not protect you against 2009 H1N1 , but a vaccine against 2009 H1N1 is now available .
What actions can I take to protect myself and my family against both seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu this year ? CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu . While there are many different flu viruses , the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three main seasonal flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season . The seasonal flu vaccine can protect you from getting sick from these three viruses or it can make your illness milder if you get a related flu virus . The seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza . However a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is now available . The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine .
Take these everyday steps to protect your health : Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze . Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it . Wash your hands often with soap and water , especially after you cough or sneeze . If soap and water are not available , an alcohol-based hand rub * can be used . Avoid touching your eyes , nose and mouth . Germs spread this way . Try to avoid close contact with sick people . If you are sick with flu-like illness , CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities . ( Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine .) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick .
What should I do if I get sick with the flu this flu season , including the 2009 H1N1 ? Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines ( pills , liquid or an inhaled powder ) that fight against the flu , including 2009 H1N1 flu , by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body . The priority use for antiviral drugs this season is to treat people who are very sick ( hospitalized ) or people who are sick with flu-like symptoms and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications , such as pregnant women , young children , people 65 and older and people with chronic health conditions . Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster . If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms this flu season you should stay home and avoid contact with other people , except to seek medical care . If you have severe illness or you are at higher risk for flu complications , contact your health care provider or seek medical care . Medical conditions that can place you at higher risk of serious flu-related complications if you become ill include asthma or other lung problems , diabetes , weakened immune systems , kidney disease , heart disease , neurological and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy . For info about 2009 H1N1 flu , visit http :// www . cdc . gov / h1n1flu /
This feature is sponsored by : Dr . Robert Casañas Dr . Casañas is a Board Certified Internist and Board Certified Pain Management specialist . Dr . Casañas practices out of two offices , Unicorn Medical Office in West Tampa and Lunasol Institute in Westchase . Submit your question for Dr . Casañas by emailing him at :
AskElDoctor @ thelatinvillage . com or contact him directly at 813-789-2799 .
HOW YOUR DRIVER ’ S LICENSE IS AFFECTED BY FLORIDA ’ S IMPLIED CONSENT LAW
Y ou ’ re out with your friends at one of Tampa Bay ’ s many hot and sexy clubs . You have a few drinks , dance a few dances , have a few laughs and now it ’ s time to go home . You feel fine . Maybe just a little tipsy but not much . You ’ re a little hungry , so before going home , you hop in your car and start driving to get a bite to eat at one of the Bay area ’ s many fine late night eating establishments .
Suddenly , you look in your rearview mirror , hear sirens and see bright red lights signaling you to pull over . You stop , get out of the car and are confronted by one of Tampa Bay ’ s finest . He tells you that he stopped you for some type of moving violation . He observes you , smells alcohol on your person and wants to conduct a field sobriety test . He also either wants you to blow into an intoxilyzer machine , or have a hospital draw blood or urine samples to determine what the blood alcohol level is in your body .
What to do ? What to do ? This and similar scenarios are played out every night of the week here in the Tampa Bay Area . In 2008 , 5,911 persons were arrested in Hillsborough County for Driving under the Influence . Many people who were arrested for alcohol-related traffic stops , decided not to submit to any field sobriety or chemical test , believing that if they don ’ t participate , then they can ’ t lose their license or be convicted of a DUI . Well my friends , do I have news for you !
First of all , driving in the State of Florida is a privilege , not a right . On your driver ’ s license in teeny weenie letters is the “ Implied Consent ” language which obliges you by law to submit to any sobriety test that a law enforcement officer request you to perform during a traffic stop . These tests are usually administered by them or a qualified DUI expert officer when they suspect that you probably have been drinking .
Second , Florida law allows the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to suspend your driving privileges if you violate the Implied Consent Law . If you refuse to submit to the intoxilyser or other chemical test , the law allows your license to be automatically suspended for a period of time . The length of suspension depends on whether it is your first or subsequent refusal to submit to these tests . For example , a first refusal results in a 12 month suspension . A second or subsequent refusal will result in a minimum 18 month suspension and you can be charged with the additional crime of “ Refusal ”. This new crime of “ Refusal ” carries a maximum sentence of 1 year in the county jail .
On the other hand , if you submit to the intoxilyzer test and your blood alcohol level is over . 08 , this is evidence that will be used against you to prove you were driving under the influence . For a first time “ failure ” of the test , your license will be suspended for a period of 6 months , but you are entitled to apply for a hardship “ business purpose ” license after a 30 day suspension . The decision to take or refuse the breath , urine or blood test calls for you to weigh the likelihood of a high blood-alcohol reading versus the consequences of a refusal .
Yes my friend , “ to refuse ” or “ not to refuse ” that is the question ! My advice to you is don ’ t drink and drive ! Save yourself from having to make that choice .
Attorney Pedro G . Velez , Jr . Law Office of Pedro G . Velez , JR . 314 E . Harrison Street Tampa , Florida 33602 Phone : ( 813 ) 209-9800 Preguntas : AskElAbogado @ Latin-Times . com