H1N1 flu ... what should you do?
- What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
- Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called "swine flu"?
- What is the current state
of H1N1 infections?
- What are the signs and symptoms
of H1N1 flu in people?
- How does H1N1 flu spread?
- How serious is H1N1 flu?
- How can someone with the
H1N1 flu infect someone else?
- What can I do to protect myself
from getting sick?
- What medications are available
to treat H1N1 flu infections in humans?
- What should I do if I get sick?
1. What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 Influenza (initially refered to as "swine flu") is a
new influenza
virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first
detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This
virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way
that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
2. Why is this new H1N1 virus
sometimes called “swine flu”?
Viruses change constantly and can infect humans and
animals. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human
influenza viruses, as well as swine influenza viruses.
When influenza viruses from one
species infects amother species, the viruses can reassort
(i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine,
human and/or avian influenza viruses
can emerge. This virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because
laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this
new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally
occur in pigs
in North America. But further study has shown that this
new virus is very different from what normally circulates
in North American pigs.
It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate
in pigs in Europe and Asia, as well as avian genes and
human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
3. What is the current state
of H1N1 infections?
In late March and early April 2009,
cases of human infection with H1N1 influenza were
first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio,
Texas. The outbreak intensified rapidly from that time
in the U.S. and internationally, where the illness
appears to be more severe than in the U.S. An updated case
count of confirmed swine flu
infections in the United States is kept at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm.
4. What are the signs and symptoms
of H1N1 flu in people?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the
symptoms of regular flu and include fever, cough,
sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Some people have reported
diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu,
severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and
deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection
in people, and as with any flu, H1N1 may cause a worsening
of underlying chronic medical conditions.
5. How does H1N1 flu spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in
the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly
from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with
influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something
with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
The CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading
from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus
spreads
between people.
H1N1 influenza viruses
are not spread by food. You cannot get H1N1 influenza from eating pork or pork
products. Eating properly handled and cooked food, and drinking conventionally-treated
tap water
is
safe.
6. How serious is H1N1 flu?
It is not known at this time how severe this virus will
be in the general population. CDC is studying the medical
histories of people who have been infected with this
virus to determine whether some people
may be at greater risk from infection, serious illness
or hospitalization from the virus. In seasonal flu, there
are certain people that are
at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This
includes people 65 years and older, children younger than
five years old, pregnant
women, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions.
It is
unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are
at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from
infection with this
new virus. CDC also is conducting laboratory studies to
see if certain people might have natural immunity to this
virus, depending on their
age.
7. How can someone with the
H1N1 flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning
1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days
after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to
pass on the flu to someone
else before you know you are sick, as well as while you
are sick.
People with any influenza virus infection should be considered potentially
contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following
illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious
for longer periods.
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with
germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough
or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when
a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a
desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2-8 hours on surfaces
like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you
reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
9. What medications are available
to treat H1N1 flu infections in humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed
for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine,
rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Antiviral drugs
are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler)
that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from
reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs
can make
your
illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may
also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment,
antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting
sick (within
2 days of symptoms). At this time,
CDC recommends
the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or
prevention of infection with this new H1N1
virus. During the current outbreak, the priority use for
influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza
illness.
10. What should I do if I get
sick?
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including
fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or
vomiting or diarrhea,
you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly
if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care
provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment
is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact
with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading
your illness to others. Your co-workers and your children's
classmates will appreciate it!
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs,
seek emergency medical care.
| In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: |
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| In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: |
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