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The Girard City Health Department
H1N1 Information
2009 H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on)
is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was
first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus
is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same
way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009,
the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009
H1N1 flu was underway.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in
people?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with
the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a
fever. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness
associated with this virus.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs,
seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
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 worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
How severe is illness associated with 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While
most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical
treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus
have occurred.
In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious
complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger
than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain
chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been
hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical
conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of
serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy,
diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that
adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of
2009 H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have
shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old
have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third
of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is
unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against 2009 H1N1
flu by any existing antibody.
How does 2009 H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity
and infection rates?
With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing,
duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe
illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United
States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of
those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over
90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people
older than 65.
When the 2009 H1N1 outbreak was first detected in mid-April 2009, CDC
began working with states to collect, compile and analyze information
regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, including the numbers of confirmed
and probable cases and the ages of these people. The information
analyzed by CDC supports the conclusion that 2009 H1N1 flu has caused
greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older
people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in
people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with
seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high
risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated
with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These
underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune
systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular
disorders and pregnancy.
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be
able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days
after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people
with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1
virus.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently being distributed and will be
available shortly to the public. As always, a vaccine is available to
protect against seasonal influenza. There are everyday actions that can
help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like
influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
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 or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, 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.) Keep away from others as much as
possible to keep from making others sick.
Other important actions that you can take are:
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 a week or so;
a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs * (for
when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items
could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you
are sick and contagious.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing
or sneezing?
If you are sick with flu-like illness,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.) Keep away from others as much as
possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your
hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
If I have a family member at home who is sick with 2009 H1N1 flu, should
I go to work?
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with
2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor
their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing
their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or
sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an
alcohol-based hand rub.* If they become ill, they should notify their
supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical
condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for
advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to
prevent illness. For more information please see General Business and
Workplace Guidance for the Prevention of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Flu in
Workers.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the
flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. CDC
recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water --
that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not
available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be
used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using
gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to
work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with 2009 H1N1
flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body
aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or
diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people.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 have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu
complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care.
Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or
treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs,
seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
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 worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1 infection?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the
treatment and/or prevention of infection with 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled
powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from
reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your
illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent
serious flu complications. During the current pandemic, the priority use
for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for
example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a
condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related
complications.
How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and
doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental
surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited
on the surface.
What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In
addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen
peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and
alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper
concentration for a sufficient length of time.
*What if soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are
not allowed in my facility?
If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not
allowed, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be
useful.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated
with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets
from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs
can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another
person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own
eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza
virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues
and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the
trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water
after touching used tissues and similar waste.
What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of
influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep
surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen
counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a
household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with
influenza virus be handled?
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do
not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should
not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using
household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals
should avoid "hugging" laundry prior to washing it to prevent
contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap
and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty
laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with
water and soap. H1N1 Links
Flu Myths and Realities at FLU.GOV
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) at FLU.GOV
FLU.GOV
H1N1 information at CDC.GOV
H1N1 information at The Ohio Department of Health
Niles Health Department
Trumbull County Health Department
Warren Health Department
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