As you may be aware the World Health Organization has declared the H1N1 influenza virus (also referred to as the swine flu) a pandemic. This means the virus is wide spread throughout the world and is very contagious.

Through the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition, dialysis providers are working along with the CDC, the End Stage Renal Disease Networks, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and local public health departments to prepare in case there are more patients who become ill. DPC also participates in this coalition to ensure that the most up to date information is relayed to patients and so that your questions or concerns are also addressed with the coalition.

A vaccine for H1N1 will likely be available this fall - - around the same time you should also receive your seasonal flu vaccine. In the interim, there are simple precautions you can take to help protect yourself from the H1N1 flu, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth to help prevent the spread of germs. The most important thing to remember is that if you have signs or symptoms of the flu you still need your regular dialysis treatments.  However, it is important that you contact your dialysis clinic prior to arriving so arrangements can be made to protect other patients and staff.

For more ways you can protect yourself please visit the following web pages:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Spanish version)

DPC will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.  If you have any questions or concerns you would like addressed please email us at dpc@dialysispatients.org