I found the following article, Comparing Symptoms of the Cold, Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu, to be very helpful - in fact, I have referred to it a couple of times when friends call to tell me that they are convinced that they have H1N1 (which pretty much everyone seems to think is the case).

I have been able to tell 2 of my friends that they can calm down, because they probably do NOT have H1N1, based on this chart. However, I do urge them to call their doctors and discuss their symptoms and what the next steps might be (for instance, whether they need to come in to the doctor's office for an exam or testing or not).

The only thing that I would add to this chart is a column for allergies. While not such an issue for the rest of the country, in the South, our flu season (early because of H1N1) is overlapping with some of the worst ragweed levels that we have ever seen. The symptoms that people are experiencing include sneezing, runny nose and congestion and itchy and watery eyes. Some people end up with a pretty serious headache if their sinuses get inflamed. One of my friends has even experienced severe vertigo, due to sinus involvement.

Bottom line, there are some pretty obvious symptoms that can differentiate these viruses (and allergies) from each other. However, they all can mimic one another and if you ever feel concerned for yourself or your child, you should call your doctor, regardless of how silly it might seem.

Read the full article: Comparing Symptoms of the Cold, Flu and H1N1 Swine Flu

Since the flu vaccines (both H1N1 and seasonal) are grown in chicken egg embryos, anyone with an egg allergy falls into the category of having a "contraindication" to getting the vaccine. However, there may be some good news for those who wish to be vaccinated, but believe that they are allergic to eggs:

Do you have a true allergy? You may be sensitive to eggs or have an "intolerance," but not have a true egg allergy. This can be determined during a simple skin test. If skin tests are negative, you can safely get the vaccine.

Even if you are allergic, you may be able to get the vaccine. Dr. Monteleone, an allergist with University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey says. "It may still be possible to administer the vaccine in graded doses," she explained. "During the office visit, increasing doses are given every 15 minutes, for a total of five doses." She explains that the patient will then be supervised in the office for at least 30 minutes. She emphasizes that although this approach is recommended by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, it still needs to be done under very close supervision.

Source: Have an Egg Allergy? You May Still be a Candidate for the Flu Vaccine, Says Allergist, Medical News Today; 19 Nov 2009 - 3:00 PST.

There has been quite a bit of attention to ensuring that pregnant women receive the H1N1 vaccine, as this group is at very high risk of complications from this virus (including death). However, pregnant women are NOT advised to get the nasal mist version of the vaccine, as it contains live, weakened (attenuated) virus. [Note: The live attenuated vaccine has not specifically been shown to cause problems in pregnant women, it has just not been studied, whereas the injectible vaccine has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in pregnant women.] Since the injectible form of the vaccine was a little delayed getting out to all people at high risk who needed it, many of these pregnant women had their babies while they were waiting, putting them in a new category - healthy adults caring for infants under 6 months old.

The good news is that these women (once they have given birth) are eligible for the nasal mist version of the vaccine, according to the CDC, although the injectible vaccine is becoming more readily available.

It's wise to get vaccinated if you are caring for a young infant for so many reasons, the biggest one being to protect your child from catching the virus from you if you would happen to get infected. I also cannot imagine taking care of a new baby while dealing with flu symptoms, as new-parent early days come with their own share of exhaustion, bleary eyes and general dysfunction, if I recall my own experience accurately.

One bonus feature of getting vaccinated is that some antibodies might be passed along in breast milk, giving your baby a kind of passive vaccine, although opinions on this seem to differ.

I love Sid the Science Kid, who has saved me from many other mind-numbing television shows for children. I would also say that since my kids also love Sid, I have gained lots of time to do other things while they watch episodes, but I usually end up dropping what I intended to do so that I could stay glued to the screen.

The concept behind Sid the Science Kid is to introduce kids to science by encouraging curiosity about the world around them. Sid usually has a question that the show is devoted to exploring in a kid-oriented way.

The people behind Sid at the Henson Company have collaborated with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research to create an episode devoted to flu vaccines, called Getting a Shot: You can do it!

The episode is available for download at the Flu.gov website (click the link above), and will also air on PBS on November 19 and 27 and December 21.

The thing that I like about Sid is that he is often skeptical himself and wants to know all angles of a situation before signing on just because a grownup "said so." Although I have not yet watched the episode myself, it promises to explain to kids why a flu shot is helpful and a good thing to do even if it hurts a little.