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9:53	Pete Zapadka - Once your question is submitted, you will not see it appear until the chat goes live at noon.

11:59

[Comment From Bruce Dixon]
I'm am ready for questions.

12:00

[Comment From Dorothy ]
I have a 4-year-old daughter and am so afraid and worried because of so much. I am hearing that I almost hate to even take her out around many people because of how rampant the disease is. How bad is it and should I be so worried from what the media is making it out to be? Also, I am so reluctant on the shot because there is so much concern about the side effects of it. I don't know what to do. I feel worried about getting the vaccine as much as not getting the vaccine. What do you suggest?

12:02

[Comment From Bruce Dixon]
It appears that our number of cases is peaking right now and the percentage of folks being seen in the Emergency Rooms appears to be decreasing this week compared to last so the worst may be over. For most people this has been a relatively short lived disease. I would get the shot if they are available. There are almost no side effects and they appear to work but you may need two for a child less than 10 years old.

12:03

[Comment From Jay Dub ]
What is the strategy to ensure that minority communities have access H1N1 vaccine when available?

12:05

[Comment From Bruce Dixon]
We will be providing it at schools throughout Allegheny County as soon as we have vcaccines and at least two will be in the City. Additionally, we are making sure that the Federally Qualified Health Centers which are most often in economically impoverished areas have vaccine. No one should be excluded who needs and wants the vaccine as soon as it is available. We will have it at our facility in Oakland as well.

12:05

[Comment From John ]
Dr. Dixon: two of my three children have been diagnosed with H1N1, and I have similar symptoms. I've heard that the cough associated with this illness can last for several weeks. With that in mind, for how long is someone with H1N1 contagious to others? Is there a time period suggested that they should remain away from others, such as at school or work? Thank you!

12:07

[Comment From Bruce Dixon]
The contagious period drops off rapidly although the cough may persist as you know. Two or three days after the fever remits will be sufficient to make sure someone is not infectious for most people. Rarely, 5 days, at the outer limit.

12:07

[Comment From KC ]
Relative to the rest of PA, Allegheny County appears to have been hit disproportionately hard by H1N1. Do you think there are any factors that predisposed our region to being particularly susceptible to an infectious condition like this?

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