2009 H1N1 Flu & You (CDC)

2009 H1N1 flu (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people. Because this virus is very different from current seasonal influenza viruses, many people will not have protective immunity against it and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against it either.

Influenza is unpredictable, but this flu season could be worse than recent years because of the 2009 H1N1 virus. The CDC is preparing for an early flu season and expects both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to cause illness, hospital stays and deaths this season.

How does 2009 H1N1 flu spread?

Both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal influenza are thought to spread mostly from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People also may get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.

How long can a sick person spread 2009 H1N1 flu to others?

People infected with 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to about 7 days after getting sick. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.

How severe is illness associated with this 2009 H1N1 flu virus?

The 2009 H1N1 flu illness has ranged from mild to severe. Most healthy people who have been sick with the 2009 H1N1 have recovered without needing medical treatment, however, hospitalizations and deaths from the 2009 H1N1 have occurred. Most people who have been hospitalized with the 2009 H1N1 have had a medical condition that places them at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. However, some people who have become very ill were previously healthy. Severe infections have been reported among people of all ages. While few people over the age of 65 have been infected with this new virus, if people in this age group become ill, they are at higher risk of developing flu-related complications.

Who is at greatest risk of infection with this new virus?

So far, younger people have been more likely to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu than older people. Most cases of the 2009 H1N1 have occurred in people younger than 25 years of age. At this time, there are relatively few cases of the 2009 H1N1 in people 65 or older, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu.

Prevention

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick from 2009 H1N1 flu?

The CDC recommends a three-step approach to fighting the flu: vaccination, everyday preventive actions including frequent hand washing and staying home when sick, and the correct use of antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.

A vaccine against the 2009 H1N1 flu is being produced. To protect those at greatest risk of the 2009 H1N1, the CDC recommends that certain people get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine first when it becomes available. These key groups include people who are at higher risk of getting sick or having serious flu complications, those who are likely to come in contact with the 2009 H1N1, and those who could infect young infants who cannot be vaccinated themselves.

This includes:

• Pregnant women,
• People who live with or provide care for children younger than 6 months of age,
• Health care and emergency medical service personnel,
• People 6 months to 24 years of age, and
• People 25 to 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications because of an underlying health condition or compromised immune systems.
  

Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. (Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people with flu-like symptoms.
• Stay home if you are sick. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for several days; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, facemasks and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

If You Get Sick

What should I do if I get sick?

If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms this flu season you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to seek medical care. Most people have been able to recover at home from the 2009 H1N1 without needing medical care and the same is true of seasonal flu.

However, some people are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. They are:

• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 65 and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have:
• Cancer
• Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
• Neuromuscular disorders ( »» including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
• Weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS)

If you (or your child) are in one of the groups above and develop flu-like symptoms, consult a health care provider to get advice about seeking medical care. Also, it’s possible for otherwise healthy people to develop severe illness so any one concerned about their illness should consult their doctor.

There are “emergency warning signs” that should signal anyone to seek medical care urgently.

Are there medicines to treat infection with this new virus?

Yes, there are prescriptions drugs called “antivirals” that can treat influenza illness, including 2009 H1N1. These
drugs can make illness milder and may also prevent serious complications. The priority use for influenza antiviral
drugs this flu season is to treat people who are severely ill (hospitalized) and sick people who are at increased risk of serious influenza-related complications. The CDC recommends the use of the antiviral drugs oseltamivir or
zanamivir this season.

How long should I stay home if I’m sick?

The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings. If you must leave the house (for example to see your doctor), wear a facemask, if you have one and it is tolerable, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

Flu symptoms can include

• fever (It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

For more information visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or www.flu.gov or call 800-CDC-INFO.