H1N1: What to Know
Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) – What We Know
- Swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus has recently emerged in humans and is causing an outbreak of flu.
- Since this virus has not been identified before in humans, we have little or no immunity to it.
- Cases of H1N1 flu are appearing in many parts of the world.
- The virus can spread from person-to-person.
- H1N1 flu appears to be spread by droplets that get into the air when someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes.
- A person can get the flu by breathing in these droplets, or by touching his or her eyes, nose or mouth after touching a surface that has the virus on it.
- H1N1 flu is not spread by eating pork.
- Prevention of the spread of H1N1 flu is also the same as prevention of spread of other strains of flu:
Wash your hands often.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to symptoms of the flu that we see every year: fever, muscle and joint aches, cough, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and/or vomiting.
- Treatment for the H1N1 virus is the same as treatment for other strains of flu, and is mostly focused on relieving symptoms.
- Stay at home if you are sick.
- Call your health care practitioner for advice.
- If you or someone in your household has severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, confusion or unresponsiveness, or seizures, call 911 immediately.
Questions About H1N1 Flu?
How Does H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Spread?
The main way that illnesses like H1N1 flu are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This is called “droplet spread.” This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.
Germs can spread if a person touches a sick person’s mouth or nose and then touches his/her own mouth or nose before washing hands. Sometimes germs also spread when a person touches another person’s respiratory droplets on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose. We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.
The CDC has more information including frequently updated questions and answers on swine flu on their website.
How Can I Protect Myself from H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
You can help stop the spread of germs such as H1N1 flu by:
- Covering the mouth and nose.
- Cleaning your hands often.
- Avoiding touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands.
- Keeping your distance from those around who are sick with flu.
- Keeping your germs to yourself by staying home from work, school and public places if you are sick.
Cover Your Mouth and Nose When Coughing or Sneezing
Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve to cover your cough or sneeze. Always clean your hands after you cough or sneeze.
Wash Your Hands: The Right Way
When washing hands with soap and water:
- Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Warm water works best.
- Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub the front, back, and sides of your hands and fingers.
- Keep rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend.
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
- Always use soap and water if you can see dirt on your hands.
If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs reduce the number of germs on skin and act quickly.
When using an alcohol-based hand rub:
- Apply product to the palm of one hand.
- Rub hands together.
- Rub the product over all the front, back, and sides of your hands and fingers until they are dry.
What Are the Symptoms of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
H1N1 flu can cause a wide range of symptoms, including: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Call your healthcare practitioner if you have flu symptoms.
Call 911 if someone with swine flu develops these symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Purple or blue discoloration of the lips
- Vomiting and inability to keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
- Becomes less responsive than normal or confused
Is there a Treatment for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?
H1N1 flu is treated the same way as seasonal or “normal” flu.
Antiviral medications can sometimes help lessen influenza symptoms, but you can only get them with a prescription. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to fully recover from the flu. However, people at higher risk for severe flu complications, or those with severe flu illness who require hospitalization, might benefit from antiviral medications. Antiviral medications are available for persons 1 year of age and older. Ask you healthcare practitioner whether you need antiviral medication.
Influenza infections can lead to or occur with bacterial infections. Therefore, some people will also need to take antibiotics. More severe or prolonged illness that seems to get better, but then gets worse again may be a sign that a person has a bacterial infection. Check with your healthcare practitioner if you are worried.
The CDC has detailed information on treatment and care for swine flu on their website.
What Do the Terms Pandemic and Epidemic Mean?
Epidemic: When the number of cases of an illness in a community or region is larger than what is normally expected.
Pandemic: An epidemic that spreads worldwide, or at least across a large region.
