On January 15th, the CDC updated its estimates of H1N1 infections in the United States. The numbers are not exact because many people who have had H1N1 (swine flu) did not seek treatment or were not tested. However, the CDC developed a formula to help them calculate the approximate number of people they believe have had this strain of flu, as well as the number of hospitalizations and deaths. These latest numbers encompass the dates between the beginning of the pandemic in April 2009 and December 12, 2009.

• Between 39 and 80 million people in the US have had H1N1, the most likely number is aroun...

The H1N1 virus is still in the news, as more and more cases pop up all over the country. Being 9 months pregnant, as well as a trauma hospital employee, I am on the CDC's target candidate list for the H1N1 vaccine. There are lots of people on the list, in addition to pregnant women and health care employees. They include children, seniors and people with chronic conditions.

This means you: if you have a chronic pain condition, washing your hands may not be good enough. The vaccine is becoming more and more readily available. In fact, on my way home from th...

Day four of National Influenza Vaccination Week serves as a reminder for pregnant women, children (especially those 6 months to 2 years) and caregivers and family members of children under 6 months old to be vaccinated against the flu. H1N1 (swine flu) can be especially severe for these groups and vaccination is the easiest way to prevent it.

Pregnant women and young children are very susceptible to serious illness and death from influenza. T...

The CDC is estimating that nearly 60 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been administered in the United States. Unfortunately, officials have said that millions more need to get the vaccine to provide adequate protection against the 21st century's first flu pandemic.

I know many people were hesitant to get it when it first came out and with the recent recalls of some pediatric doses, some of those fears have been reignited. Personally, I am more concerned about my youngest son getting the virus continues to rear its ugly head as the world awaits a vaccine. There still is no definite release date, but the vaccine is expected to be available sometime this month. When it is available, people with cystic fibrosis and their family members should get the H1N1 flu shot in addition to the regular seasonal flu shot. You should be able to get the vaccine at your CF care center or local health department. You can also visit the American Lung Association's fl...