With all of the attention the media is giving to the swine flu, I think that it is important to fully understand what the major differences are between H1N1 and the seasonal flu. Recognizing these differences could stop a bad situation from getting worse.

From what I have read, one of the differences between H1N1 and the seasonal flu is the occurrence of a sore throat. A sore throat is not usually common with the swine flu. Furthermore, the swine flu will typically have a rapid progression of symptoms. This onset usually occurs within 3 to 6 hours, and is characterized by a severe headache. So essentially one minute you can be feeling absolutely fine, and then the next be experiencing extreme discomfort.

In conjunction with President Obama’s declaration that there is a H1N1 national emergency, health insurance companies, including Humana, are taking a proactive approach to covering the vaccine for their members.

Humana recently posted on their website that they are willing to cover the H1N1 vaccine for all of its current members who are fully insured. This benefit is even being extended to those clients who currently have immunization benefits excluded from their coverage.