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What Everyone Should Know About H1N1
What is it?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu”) is a new influenza (flu)
virus. It was first detected in people in the United States
in April 2009. Despite its name, swine flu is not
transmitted by food, including pork.
How serious is it? Like the seasonal flu H1N1 flu in
humans can vary from mild to severe, with some cases leading
to death. It’s not known yet how severe this virus will be
to the general population during the flu season (generally
December to March).
Will a seasonal flu shot help?
You will not be protected from H1N1 flu by getting a
seasonal flu shot or from having had the flu before.
Scientists are currently working on an H1N1 flu vaccine (to
be out in October).
Who will receive the H1N1 flu vaccine first? Top
priority groups are:
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Pregnant women |
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Healthcare workers |
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People from 6 months to 24 years old |
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those who live with or care for children under 6
months |
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people 25-64yrs with chronic health conditions |
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The H1N1 flu vaccine is not intended to be a
substitute for the seasonal flu vaccine |
Are
there medicines to treat H1N1 flu?
Antiviral prescription drugs begun within 2 days or one’s
first flu symptoms may help make the illness milder. These
medicines also may help prevent serious flu complications.
How
does the H1N1 spread?
It is thought to spread like seasonal flu, mainly from
person to person through coughing or sneezing. People may
also become infected by touching something that has the H1N1
flu virus on it and then touching their eyes, nose or
mouth. The virus can survive on surfaces and infect people
for up to 8 hours.
For
how long is someone contagious?
People who have the H1N1 flu may be able to infect others
starting 1day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more
days after becoming sick. Children especially younger
children might be contagious for longer periods.
Help protect yourself and others from H1N1 Flu
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Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol
based hand sanitizers also are effective. |
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people. |
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. |
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Keep kitchens, bathrooms and toys clean. |
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Don’t share items for drinking or eating. |
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Avoid crowds during the peak flu season
(December to March) |
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Drink plenty of water. |
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Get enough sleep, exercise and eat nutritious
foods daily. |
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Keep stress under control. |
Signs and symptoms of H1N1 Flu:
the
signs and symptoms of H1N1 Flu include:
| Fever |
Headache |
| Cough |
Chills |
| Sore
Throat |
Fatigue |
| Runny
or stuffy nose |
Diarrhea |
| Body
aches |
Vomiting |
In
the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure)
and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu. Like seasonal
flu, H1N1 may cause a worsening of chronic medical
conditions.
Get
your seasonal flu shot as early as possible:
is especially important for adults over age 65 yrs, the most
susceptible to complications from common flu strains.
People over age 65 will be offered the H1N1 flu vaccine
after the demand among younger age groups has
been met.
Self
Care for H1N1 Flu:
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Stay home until at least 24 hours after you are
free of fever(100 F) or signs of fever without
the use of fever-reducing medicine.
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Limit contact with others. |
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If you must leave home for medical care, wear a
surgical mask. |
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you
cough or sneeze. If you have no tissue, cough
or sneeze into your upper sleeve. Put used
tissues into the trash. |
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Wash your hands often with soap and water and or
alcohol-based hand sanitizer. |
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Drink plenty of clear fluids. |
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Get
increased rest and sleep. |
When to seek Immediate Medical Care:
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Fast breathing or difficulty breathing. |
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Bluish or gray skin color. |
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Not drinking enough fluids. |
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Severe or persistent vomiting. |
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Not waking up or interacting. |
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Being so irritable that child doesn’t want to be
held. |
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Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with
fever and worse cough. |
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