- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical editor-in-chief, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for MayoClinic.com to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a consultant and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education for Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs before taking this leadership role. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this Web site. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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Editor's blog
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Oct. 1, 2009
Keep up to date on H1N1 flu (swine flu) with Mayo Clinic experts
By Roger W. Harms, M.D.
As we move further and further into this challenging flu season, I want to make sure you know that you can rely on us to keep you up to date on the latest regarding swine flu (H1N1), seasonal flu, and the vaccines we will use to protect ourselves and our families. The situation is changing daily as we learn more about the viruses and their impact on people in different stages of life.
I defer to our experts in infectious disease to make sure you get the best information from our most-qualified experts. Even as an obstetrician though, I'll encourage all of you who fit the guidelines for influenza vaccination to get that vaccine as soon as possible. The more people in any community who are immune, the less widely the virus spreads. Getting vaccinated if you are among those who should is not only important for you, it's important for everyone.
As ever, you can rely on us to be there with trustworthy information about all types of influenza throughout this fall and winter. I hope you will visit often and keep up to date.
18 comments posted
November 15, 2009 12:28 p.m.
A H1N1 victim from Sydney, Australia speaks of his experience here: "However, I’m here to tell you that a graph comparing swine flu and the bubonic plague will not make you feel any better if you become infected with H1N1...My advice is go out and get yourself a jab." More here: http://asiancorrespondent.com/gavin-atkins-sh
adowlands/why-you-should-get-your-swine-flu-j .htm - Marg
November 15, 2009 9:26 a.m.
If a person has a chron's disease is he or she safe to take the n1h1 flu shot?
- Fahd
November 9, 2009 4:34 p.m.
My daughter(10 yrs. of age) has cerebral palsy.She is up to date on all of her vaccinations . She has no known allergies , but has never had a flu shot of any kind . I have heard that the H1N1 flu shot may not be good for her to take. Any comments or advice ?
- Vicki
October 30, 2009 7:01 a.m.
Thank you for your response to my question. My neurologist told me to get the H1N1 vaccination and I was able to do so through our County Clinics.
- Maggie
October 27, 2009 8:34 p.m.
A small company in Eugene Oregon has produced an interactive computer program designed to teach people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities about germs and germ transmission, flu and colds, what flu/cold symptoms look like and how they feel, how to use a digital thermometer and how to make basic health care decisions based on the presence of a fever, how to take care of yourself when you are ill, and beginning to prepare your home in case you need to stay put for a few days due to illness. Funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, the program was evaluated with 40 people with intellectual disabilities and a research report presenting the evaluation outcomes can also be found on the website, www.techaidinstitute.com. Spread the word, not the flu!
- Jennifer
October 26, 2009 2:22 a.m.
If my child has had suspected H1N1 (didn't send the swab in for testing) and she receives the H1N1 vaccination- is there anything to worry about? Any harm from having the virus two times?
- Laurie
October 21, 2009 2:05 p.m.
Pat: If H1N1 influenza was confirmed by a specific laboratory test (H1N1 rt-PCR), then your daughter is immune and doesn't need H1N1 vaccination. She should still receive seasonal influenza vaccination. If H1N1 influenza was suspected but not laboratory confirmed, then vaccination is recommended when H1N1 supplies are available, according to the CDC.
- MayoClinic.com staff
October 21, 2009 2:01 p.m.
Maggie: You should discuss your particular situation with your health care provider. The answer will depend on your specific circumstances and the current level of H1N1 vaccine in your community.
- MayoClinic.com staff
October 21, 2009 1:58 p.m.
Mary: According to James Steckelberg, M.D., infectious disease specialty editor at MayoClinic.com, the second dose of H1N1 vaccine can be the injectable variety if FluMist isn't available.
- MayoClinic.com staff
October 19, 2009 5:07 p.m.
My kids have been given the nasal spray vaccine, but the county health department has run out of the nasal spray. When it comes time for their second dose, does it need to also be the nasal spray, or can it be the injection?
- Mary
October 19, 2009 6:14 a.m.
I am 63 years old and an epileptic. Should I get the H1N1 vaccination? I have read the high fever can bring on seizures. I got my regular flu shot three weeks ago. Thanks.
- Maggie
October 14, 2009 11:57 a.m.
I have a question: If my 6 year old daughter has already had H1N1, do I need to have her vaccinated for H1N1 this fall?
- Pat
October 13, 2009 7:00 p.m.
it is an insult to criticize a fellow who is inquiring re care of his wife-the H1N1 is constantly referred to as the swine flu in the media-get past it! What do MDs say to those with an autoimmune disease? should they get this shot? I think we are all concerned re the outcome of this flu: who should be vaccinated? who should not? thanks to any ideas from mayo clinic
- survivor
October 12, 2009 5:44 p.m.
I HAVE 74 YEAR OLD WIFE, OF WHOME I AM THE CAREGIVER. SHE HAS BROCHIATSIS (with bleeding). I AM WONDERING IF EITHER OF BOTH OF US SHOULD GET THE SWINE FLU SHOT.
- LLOYD
October 8, 2009 12:20 p.m.
Please quit calling it swine flu. You are hurting pork producers who are feeding the people. You as a professional should know better than do that and give people credit by calling it only by it the right name!!!!!!!
- Ferne
October 8, 2009 10:45 a.m.
Please refer to the National Pork Producers: This is the H1N1 (not swine flu). Pork producers do not need any further negative publicity. If you have any questions, please contact US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack who stood up Friday Sept 11 for pigs and hog farmers, saying their name has been dragged through the mud by people who insist on calling the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic "swine flu."
- Lori
October 7, 2009 3:54 p.m.
This looks like a hoax, but I haven't been able to confirm that. Can you? This is all that fits. Courtesy of Bob Chapman of The International Forecaster Subject: Vital data about US Navy results of swine flu vaccine on ship Data gleaned indirectly from anonymous testimony of Navy wives of the affected crew via the internet radio show A Marine Disquisition http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1362067. com/watch_ video/1362067 : 1. Unnamed US Navy vessel put to sea in April with 347 man crew. 2. Entire crew was vaccinated with H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine shortly after they put to sea. 3. Crew sickened so severely that other ships had to respond to render aid. 16 Medical Dr.s put aboard from an unnamed aircraft carrier and other responding vessels. Total of 50 Navy personnel sent aboard to respond to crisis. 4. Two of the crew of 347 died – including the Captain of the ship (a Lieutenant Commander) and a Chief Petty Officer. 5.50 personnel sent aboard to help are quarantined in Navy hospital in Balboa , Spain after 10 of them caught the flu from the ship's crew. Two of the 50 quarantined are in serious condition at last report. 6. Of the 347 man crew that were vaccinated, 333 contracted the H1N1flu FROM THE VACCINE. Two died, as mentioned above, and 331 survived.Only 14 of the 347 vaccinated sailors did not show any ill effects from the vaccine. 7. Navy has threatened all the spouses of the ship's crew to remain silent
- Robert
October 7, 2009 11:41 a.m.
My comment is regarding dosing the segment of the population that qualifies for the intranasal spray. I thought because this is live virus, it would be the last administered to avoid exposing everyone else to the live virus. Why not wait until the injectable dead virus is administered and then administer the nasal spray?
- Amy
18 comments posted