Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza
(Swine Flu; Swine Influenza; Human Swine Flu; Global Swine Flu; Pig Flu; Novel H1N1 Flu; New H1N1 Flu; H1N1 Flu; H1N1 Infection; Influenza A (H1N1); Type A (H1N1) Flu)
Definition
Causes
- By breathing in droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes
- By touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth (The virus can survive on surfaces and infect a person for 2-8 hours after being exposed to the surface.)
| Pandemic H1N1 Virus |
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Risk Factors
- Age: younger than two years and 65 years or older
- People younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin
- Being pregnant
- Having recently given birth (in the last two weeks)
- Diabetes
-
Weakened immune systems, such as in:
- People infected with HIV
- People taking immunosuppressive drugs
- Disorders that may affect breathing
- Chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, nerve, or blood conditions
- Being in a chronic care facility
- Obesity (based on early reports)
Symptoms
- Fever and chills
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Severe muscle aches
- Severe fatigue
- Headache
- Runny nose, nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting)
-
You have a fever of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher and any of the following:
- Stuffy nose (makes it hard for you to breathe through your nose)
- Runny nose (you are wiping your nose often)
- Cough
- Sore throat
-
You have been exposed to the pandemic H1N1 flu by:
- Being within six feet of someone known or suspected to have the pandemic H1N1 flu
- Living or having traveled to a place where there have been confirmed cases of the pandemic H1N1 flu
-
Emergency warning signs in adults include:
- Fever of 100ºF (37.8°C) or higher for more than three days
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Bloody or colored sputum
- Pain or pressure in chest or belly
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe vomiting or vomiting that does not stop
- Flu-like symptoms get better then come back with fever and worse cough
-
Emergency warning signs in children include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Blue or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe vomiting or vomiting that does not stop
- Difficulty waking up
- Being too irritable to be held
- Little or no desire to play or interact
- Lack of alertness
- Flu-like symptoms get better then come back with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
Diagnosis
Treatment
Antiviral Medicines
-
Prescription medicines:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)—Some kinds of seasonal influenza virus are resistant to this drug in the United States, but it can be used for pandemic H1N1 flu.
- Zanamivir (Relenza)—This may worsen asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Peramivir—This is an investigational medicine that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed doctors to use for hospitalized patients if other antiviral medicines do not work. This medicine is given through an IV (a needle in the vein).
Other Measures
- Getting plenty of rest to help your body fight the flu
- Drinking a lot of liquids, including water, juice, and non-caffeinated tea
-
Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as
acetaminophen,
ibuprofen, or (in adults)
aspirin
- NOTE: Aspirin is not recommended for children or teens with a current or recent viral infection. This is because of the risk of Reyes syndrome. Ask your doctor which other medicines are safe for your child.
-
Taking other OTC products (such as, decongestants, saline nasal sprays, cough medicines)
- Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you or your child to take. For example, cough and cold products can cause serious side effects in young children.
-
Using alternative therapies like
elderberry extract
- Researchers found that products (like Sambucol and ViraBLOC) containing an herb called elderberry decreased flu symptoms in some studies. But be aware that herbal remedies are not regulated by the government. So the herbal supplements that you buy may not have the same ingredients as those studied and they may contain impurities (things that should not be in the product).
Prevention
Vaccine
Ways to Avoid Getting the Pandemic H1N1 Flu
- Wash your hands often, especially when you come in contact with someone who is sick. Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds with soap and water. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
- Avoid close contact with people who have respiratory infections. The flu can spread starting one day before and ending seven days after symptoms appear.
- Avoid crowded gatherings, especially if you are at high risk for complications from the pandemic H1N1 flu. Consider using a disposable face mask if you are at high risk and are unable to avoid crowded areas where at least one case of the pandemic H1N1 flu has been confirmed.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve is also helpful.
- Do not spit.
- Do not share drinks or personal items.
- Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
- Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
- Do not use products sold on the Internet claiming to prevent the pandemic H1N1 flu. Talk to your doctor before using such products.
- The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you or your child do not attend swine flu parties.
- To prevent areas from being contaminated, try to keep the person who is sick in one room of the house.
- Wash your hands after having contact with the person.
- If you cannot avoid close contact with the sick person, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask (or a N95 respirator if available).
- Limit contact with other members of the household or community while taking care of the person.
- The person who is sick should have little contact with others and stay home from school or work. You can go to school or work if you feel well, but remember to keep track of your health and take precautions (like washing your hands).
- If you develop symptoms of a flu-like illness, call your doctor (or do as advised by local public health officials) immediately.
-
People who have close contact with an infected person (confirmed or suspected) and have conditions that put them at high risk for complications, including those who:
- Have a chronic health condition or a suppressed immune system
- Are younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin (There is a risk of Reyes syndrome.)
- Are aged 65 years or older
- Are younger than five years old
- Are pregnant
- Live in a nursing home
- Healthcare or public health workers who have contact with an infected person (confirmed or suspected)
Ways to Avoid Spreading the Pandemic H1N1 Flu
- Avoid close contact with people. Before you can return to school or work, your fever should be gone for at least 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medicine. This could take up to seven days after symptoms first appear. It is important to stay home if you have the flu, leaving your house only to see your doctor.
- If you cannot avoid close contact, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask.
- Wash your hands often. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve will also keep you from spreading the flu with your hands. Do not spit.
- Do not share drinks or personal items.
- Wash eating utensils with hot water and soap.
- Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
- Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
- Use the hot setting on your washing machine when washing infected laundry.
RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/
Flu.gov http://www.flu.gov/
European Commission—Health Information http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph%5Fthreats/com/Influenza/h1n1%5Fen.htm
European Medicines Agency http://www.emea.europa.eu/
United Kingdom Department of Health http://www.dh.gov.uk
World Health Organization http://www.who.int/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
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