How to know if you're immune to H1N1

This column appears on the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages throughout the flu season. Readers interested in knowing more about this topic are urged to visit www.cdc.gov

/h1n1flu or www.flu.gov

Q: I had the H1N1 flu already. Am I immune, or do I still need an H1N1 shot?

A: If the flu you had was verified with a laboratory confirmed test, you probably do not need an H1N1 vaccination. However, it's important to know that most people with flu-like illness since this spring were not tested with the use of a laboratory, which is the only way of specifically confirming the H1N1 virus. Results of a flu test given in your doctor's office that produced immediate results are not specific.

People who definitely had the 2009 H1N1 virus who are not severely immune-compromised are probably immune to subsequent infection with 2009 H1N1 virus. However, getting an H1N1 vaccine-even if you have some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus-is not harmful, and if you are uncertain about how you were diagnosed, you should get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Also, if you are recommended for seasonal vaccine you should get it as well because having had the 2009 H1N1 flu does not protect you against seasonal flu.

H1N1 VACCINE UPDATE

Who: For Those in High Priority Groups

Where: Carson City Health and Human Services, 900 East Long St., Carson City

When: Mondays 1-4:30 p.m.

Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Priority Groups are:

Pregnant women

Children 6 months to 24 years old

Caregiver's of infants younger than 6 months of age

Healthcare workers and EMTs

Adults age 24-64 with underlying medical conditions

Cost: Free

For Students/Youth:

• Small Blessings Day Care: Nov. 30

• Kids Klub Day Care: Nov. 30

• Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School: Nov. 30

• Whittell High School: Nov. 30

• Douglas County Middle Schools: Dec. 1

• Douglas High School: Dec. 1

• Carson City Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 2 and 3

• Saint Teresa of Avila School (2nd Dose): Dec. 4

• Classroom on Wheels (COW) Bus: Dec. 4

• ABC Learning Center: Dec. 4

• Dayton High School: Dec. 7

• Rochelle's Place Day Care: Dec. 7

• Shelly Belly's Day Care: Dec. 7

• Linda's Nursery: Dec. 7

• Lyon County Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 8 and 9

• South Lyon Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 10

• South Lyon County Middle and High Schools: Dec. 10

• Fernley High School: Dec. 11

• Sunflower Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 11

• Sunshine and Rainbows Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 11

• Puff N Stuff Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 14

• Bethlehem Lutheran Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 14

• Robin's Nest Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 14

• Douglas County Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 15 and 16

• Kidding Around Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 18

• Kids Kind of Place (2nd Dose): Dec. 18

• Little Tykes Too Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 21

• Small Blessings Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 4

• Kids Klub Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 4

• ABC Learning Center (2nd Dose):Jan. 4

• Little Knights and Maidens Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 5

• Wilseya 4 Fun Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 5

Some physicians and health care providers in the community have received supplies of the vaccine. People who fall into the priority groups can contact their health care provider to see if the vaccine is available.

• Pam Graber, is the public information officer for Carson City Health and Human Services.