H1N1 Swine Flu

The H1N1 virus (swine flu) is a flu virus strain that has caused a worldwide pandemic from June 2009 to August 2010. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now call the virus 2009 H1N1.

About H1N1 Swine Flu

Earlier forms of the H1N1 virus were found in pigs. Over time, the virus changed and can now infect humans. Because H1N1 is a new virus in humans, your immune system cannot fight the virus very well. Because of this, it has spread quickly around the world.
The largest number of H1N1 flu cases have occurred in people ages 5 - 24. Only a few cases have been reported in people older than the age of 64.

The H1N1 flu virus can spread from person to person when:
Someone with the flu coughs or sneezes into air that others breathe in.
Someone touches a doorknob, desk, computer, or counter with the H1N1 germs on it and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose.
Someone touches mucus of a child or others while taking care of him or her when they are ill with the H1N1 flu virus

You cannot get the H1N1 flu virus from eating pork or from eating any other food, drinking water, swimming in pools, or by using hot tubs or saunas.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu infection in humans are similar to classic flu-like symptoms, which might include a fever above 100 degrees F, cough, sore throat, runny and/or stuffy nose, headache, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who get H1N1 flu will recover without needing any medical care or special antiviral medications. You can check with your health care provider to see whether you should take antiviral medications to treat the H1N1 flu. Doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat people who become very sick with the flu or who are at high risk for flu complications.

The following people may be at high risk:
Pregnant women, anyone younger than 19 who are receiving long term aspirin therapy, residents and workers of nursing homes or other healthcare facilities, Children younger than 5 years old (especially those younger than age 2) and Adults 65 years of age and older. People with chronic lung (including asthma) or heart conditions (except high blood pressure), kidney, liver neurologic and neuromuscular conditions, those with blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), diabetics, anyone with metabolic disorders or those who have an immune system that does not work well such as AIDS patients or cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy.

Oseltamivir or zanamivir are two drugs recommended for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with the H1N1, or swine, influenza virus.

People with H1N1 flu should get lots of rest and drink clear fluids so they do not become dehydrated (some good sources of fluids are water, broth, sports drinks and electrolyte drinks for infants).

If you are ill and have any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency signs include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough

In adults, emergency signs include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Chest pain or abdominal pain
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough

The 2010 seasonal flu vaccine now protects against the swine flu.

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