What does it mean when I see “novel” in front of the H1N1/Swine Flu?
Will the seasonal flu shot protect me against the H1N1/Swine Flu?
How does the H1N1/Swine Flu spread?
What is the best way I can avoid getting the H1N1/Swine Flu?
How else can I avoid getting and spreading the H1N1/Swine Flu?
What are the symptoms of the H1N1/Swine Flu?
How severe is sickness associated with the H1N1/Swine Flu?
Who is most at risk of getting H1N1/Swine Flu?
Who is most
at risk of complications from H1N1/Swine Flu?
How long is an infected person contagious?
Should I go to work if I have a sick family member?
Can I get H1N1/Swine Flu from eating pork?
· The H1N1/Swine Flu is a variation of the influenza A virus. It is currently spreading worldwide and was originally named the Swine Flu because it contains two influenza strains that are native to pigs.
What does it mean when I see “novel” in front of the H1N1/Swine Flu?
· Novel means new, and this is called the novel H1N1/Swine Flu because it is new to humans. Humans have never been affected by this particular strain of flu, and therefore don’t have any pre-existing antibodies to fight it off. Many more people are expected to be affected by the H1N1/Swine Flu than an average seasonal flu.
Will the seasonal flu shot protect me against the H1N1/Swine Flu?
· No. A seasonal flu shot will not protect you against the H1N1/Swine Flu. The H1N1/Swine Flu is a different strain of the influenza virus and requires a specific H1N1/Swine Flu vaccine.
How does the H1N1/Swine Flu spread?
· Like the seasonal flu, the H1N1/Swine Flu is thought to spread mostly through human-to-human contact, coughing and sneezing.
· It is also possible to contract the H1N1/Swine Flu by touching your eyes, mouth or nose after touching a surface or object infected with the virus.
What is the best way I can avoid getting the H1N1/Swine Flu?
· The most effective prevention is vaccination. H1N1 vaccines are currently being manufactured and distributed across the United States. Vaccine availability will initially be limited as product comes off the manufacturers’ production lines.
· We all wish we had the full amount of vaccine that will eventually be made available to us now, but we don’t. Quality and safety is most important and vaccine production takes time.
· The first few months of vaccine will be targeted to those at increased risk of infection or its complications. This includes pregnant women, caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age, persons age 6 months to 24 years, people age 25 – 64 years with underlying health problems that increase the risk of complications and health care workers.
· Over time, supply will increase. By at least January 2010, if not before, anyone who would like to receive vaccine should be able to do so.
How else can I avoid getting and spreading the H1N1/Swine Flu?
· Wash your hands frequently or use alcohol-based sanitizer to cleanse your hands when soap and water are not available.
· Sneeze and cough into a tissue (dispose of the tissue immediately) or cough into your elbow or shoulder when tissues are not available.
· Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. These are the places through which the H1N1/Swine Flu virus can enter your body.
· If you feel ill, stay home.
· Even once you are vaccinated, you should continue these measures, for no vaccine is 100% effective. In addition, these behaviors help prevent spread of other flu and cold viruses.
What are the symptoms of the H1N1/Swine Flu?
· You
may have some or all of the following symptoms: fever, cough,
sore
throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, chills, headaches,
fatigue,
diarrhea, vomiting.
How severe is sickness associated with the H1N1/Swine Flu?
· H1N1/Swine Flu cases have varied from mild to severe. The majority are mild.
· Most people recover without complications. However there are some people at increased risk of complications, especially at-risk groups.
Who is most at risk of getting H1N1 disease?
· People under the age of 25 are most at risk of getting H1N1 disease.
· Health care workers are at increased risk of being exposed to this disease since they see and treat many sick people. If they get sick, they are also at risk of spreading the disease to their patients, many of whom may be at increased risk of complications should they get H1N1 flu.
Who is most at risk of complications from H1N1 flu?
While anyone can have complications from H1N1 flu, some people are at increased risk of serious complications, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, or death from H1N1 flu. It is important for these individuals to call and talk to their healthcare provider early if they develop fever and respiratory symptoms. Sometimes they need special medications, called antivirals:
· Children under the age of 5, especially those under the age of 2
· Individuals with underlying health problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease (including asthma), cancer, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders and weakened immune systems
· Children who take long term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome).
Interestingly, people over age 65 rarely get H1N1 flu. Most likely they have been exposed to a similar virus that circulated some time in the past and therefore have some natural protection against novel H1N1. Although they rarely get H1N1 flu, when it does happen, people over 65 can be at increased risk of complications.
How long is an infected person contagious?
· A person infected with the H1N1/Swine Flu virus can be contagious as early as one day before experiencing symptoms, and as late as five to seven days after symptoms have stopped.
· A person is most contagious when they are experiencing symptoms, especially fever.
· This cycle can be longer, especially in certain at-risk groups.
Should I go to work if I have a sick family member?
· Continue your normal routine if you are well. However, you should monitor your health closely and take precautions such as hand washing, and covering coughs and sneezes. If you develop symptoms of flu, then you should stay home from work or school.
Can I get swine flu from
eating pork?
· No. You cannot get this virus from eating pork or pork products.
