2009 H1N1 Influenza (Flu) What is 2009 H1N1 flu swine flu? 2009 H1N1 (also known as swine flu ) is a new flu virus that makes people sick. The 2009 H1N1 flu spreads from person to person like seasonal flu. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that there was a 2009 H1N1 pandemic. This means that H1N1 flu was spreading from person to person in multiple countries. Why is 2009 H1N1 flu sometimes called swine flu? There are many different types of viruses that cause the flu. Each one is named based on its parts. The H1N1 virus was originally called swine flu because it has two parts from flu viruses that usually make pigs (swine) sick. 2009 H1N1 is different because it also has parts from flu viruses that make birds (avian) sick and parts from flu viruses that make humans sick. Because H1N1 also includes parts of viruses that do not make pigs sick, we refer to it as H1N1 and not swine flu. 2009 H1N1 Flu in People Do people in the U.S. have 2009 H1N1 flu? Yes. The 2009 H1N1 virus that causes H1N1 flu was found in people in the United States in April 2009. CS 208455/2009 1
H1N1 FLU How does 2009 H1N1 flu spread? People that have 2009 H1N1 flu can spread the virus by coughing or sneezing around healthy people. Healthy people can also catch the 2009 H1N1 flu by touching their mouth or nose after touching something with the virus on it, such as doorknobs, tables, or an infected person s dirty hand. Spread of the virus: How do you know if you have 2009 H1N1 flu? Signs of 2009 H1N1 flu can include: Fever Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headache Chills Body aches Vomiting Feeling weak or more tired than usual Diarrhea Not everyone will have all of the signs of 2009 H1N1 flu at the same time. Most people who get the 2009 H1N1 flu get better without seeing a doctor or taking medicine. 2
How sick do people get with 2009 H1N1 flu? Some people with 2009 H1N1 get very sick and others do not. Most people who get sick with 2009 H1N1 flu get better without seeing a doctor or taking medicine. However, some people have gotten very sick from the 2009 H1N1 flu and a few people have died. Many of the people who were very sick and went to the hospital were pregnant or already had a medical condition such as: diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or kidney disease. How long can a person with 2009 H1N1 flu spread the virus to other people? People can spread the 2009 H1N1 flu from 1 day before showing symptoms to 5 to 7 days after symptoms begin. This can last longer in children and people with medical conditions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Prevention & Treatment What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? CDC recommends four steps to fight the flu: Vaccination Wash your hands often with soap and hot water Stay away from people who are sick Use medication the way your doctor recommends it 3
Simple ways to protect your health and the health of others: 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. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth because germs spread this way. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.* *Your fever should be gone without using fever-reducing medicine. Staying at home means that you should not leave your house except to get medical care. Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for an extended period. Keep some over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and anything else you need so that you do not have to make trips out in public while you are sick. If you are really sick or have other medical conditions, call your doctor. Your doctor will let you know if you need a flu test or flu treatment. If I have a family member at home who is sick with 2009 H1N1 flu, should I go to work? People who are healthy but have a sick family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. Take simple steps such as washing your hands often with soap and hot water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. 4
What is the best way to wash my hands to keep from getting the flu? Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. When you wash your hands: Use soap and hot water. Wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand rub or gel sanitizers. If using hand rub, rub your hands until they are dry. If you or someone you know gets sick and shows any of the following warning signs, get EMERGENCY medical care: In children: Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish or gray skin color Not drinking enough fluids Serious or constant 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 5
In adults: Hard time breathing or shortness of breath Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach Sudden dizziness Confusion Serious or constant vomiting Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever or worse cough Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1 flu? Yes. Prescription medicines called antiviral drugs can fight the flu. These medicines will be used for people who are very sick and people most likely to get very sick. Most people who get sick will get better without the need for these medicines. 6
There are no reported cases of people getting 2009 H1N1 flu from: Eating or preparing pork or pork products Drinking tap water Breastfeeding Note: Much of the information in this document is based on studies and past experience with seasonal (human) influenza. CDC thinks the information applies to 2009 H1N1 flu viruses as well, but studies on this virus are continuing so that we can learn more about its characteristics. This document will be updated as new information becomes available. 7