H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu): What You Need to Know

• What is the H1N1 Influenza A?
• What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 Flu?
• How do I protect myself and my family?
• Can H1N1 Flu  be treated?
• Should I take the flu drugs as a preventative measure?
• When I enter the hospital I see stations with masks. Do I need them for outside?
• Is it safe to eat pork?
• In the '70s I received a "swine" flu shot. Does that one still work? If not, is there a new vaccine I could receive?
• Will the seasonal vaccine protect against the new H1N1 virus?
• What sort of flu season is expected this year?
• How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine?
• What should I do if I get sick with the flu, including with the new H1N1?

Q: What is the H1N1 Influenza A?
A: H1N1 Influenza A is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of flu viruses happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get this type of flu, but human infections can and do happen. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has adapted to humans, and person-to-person transmission is now common and ongoing.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 Flu?
A: Signs and symptoms are similar to regular seasonal human flu and include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting

Q: How do I protect myself and my family?
A: There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• 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, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands sanitizers also are effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Q: Can H1N1 Flu be treated?
A: Yes, with the flu drugs Tamiflu or Relenza. Other flu medications are not known to work.

Q: Should I take the flu drugs as a preventative measure?
A: No. One of the main causes of resistance to anti-viral medications and antibiotics is over-use of them for conditions in which they are not required. Use them only if needed and prescribed by a doctor.According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, most people who catch swine flu will not require antiviral treatment, so do not be surprised if your doctor does not offer it to you.

Q: When I enter the hospital, I see stations with masks. Do I need them for outside?
A: According to the CDC, it’s better to avoid close contact with someone who’s sick and gatherings/events in areas where H1N1 flu has been found. If you can’t avoid such situations, the CDC guidelines say it’s OK to consider a mask.

Q: Is it safe to eat pork?
A: Yes. Swine influenza viruses don’t spread through food.

Q: In the '70s, I received a swine flu shot. Does that one still work?
A: No. Just like seasonal flu, vaccines do not offer protection from year to year, neither does the past swine flu vaccination that individuals received.

Q: Will the seasonal vaccine protect against the new H1N1 virus?
A: The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus because it is very different genetically from the seasonal H1N1 virus that is in this season's vaccine. That is why the government and manufacturers are producing a separate 2009 H1N1 vaccine designed to protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus.

Q: What sort of flu season is expected this year?
A: The effectiveness of flu vaccines can vary and depends in part on the match between the viruses in the vaccine and the flu viruses that are circulating in the community. If these are closely matched, vaccine effectiveness is higher. During well-matched years, vaccine effectiveness is between 70 and 90 percent among healthy adults. All indications are that the H1N1 vaccine is well matched to the circulating H1N1 strain. It is too early to know how well the seasonal flu vaccine will match to the seasonal flu strains this year.

Q: What should I do if I get sick with the flu, including with the new H1N1?
A: Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the seasonal flu, including the new H1N1 flu, by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. The priority use for antiviral drugs this season is to treat people who are very sick (hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu-like symptoms and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young children, people 65 and older and people with chronic health conditions. Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. These drugs work best if started within the first two days of symptoms.

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. If you have severe illness or you are at higher risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Medical conditions that can place you at higher risk of serious flu-related complications if you become ill include asthma or other lung problems, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, heart disease, neurological and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy. Also, children younger than 5 years of age (and especially children younger than 2 years of age) are also at high risk of serious complications if they get the flu.

If you have one of these medical conditions or if you are caring for a loved one older than age 65 or younger than 5 (especially children younger than 2 years of age) who develops flu-like symptoms including fever or chills and cough or sore throat, contact your health care provider so they may determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.