H1N1 Flu Overview

What is the H1N1 Flu ("Swine Flu")?

The H1N1 Flu is a new strain of influenza currently causing illness in the United States and abroad. The symptoms of H1N1 are very similar to seasonal influenza and adults 65 and older, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions are more at risk for medical complications. It is recommended that anyone with questions or concerns about exposure or treatment of the H1N1 virus should seek the advice of a medical professional.

Prevention and Treatment

Risks of contracting and spreading the H1N1 virus can be reduced by following these simple steps:

• 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. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand
  cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to avoid contracting illness.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Practice good health habits including getting enough sleep, eating
  nutritious foods, and exercising regularly.
• Have on hand Over the Counter Cold & Flu medication (such as Alka-Seltzer Plus Liquid Gels or Alka-Seltzer Plus Fast Powder Pack) to treat symptoms, and other cold & flu supplies (i.e. tissues, hand sanitizers, thermometers) so that it is not necessary to be out in public while sick.

If you become sick with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, and you are not in a healthcare setting, you should stay at home at least 24 hours after being free of fever or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. If it is necessary to leave your home to seek medical care, wear a face mask in order to avoid spreading the virus to others. If you work in a healthcare setting, you should stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer.

Detailed guidance for those in a healthcare setting and general population is available on the CDC website:

General Population
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm

Healthcare Setting
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm

Reference: Center of Disease Control and Prevention Website (http://cdc.gov)

Note: Concerns about Reye?s Syndrome, a rare but severe illness, are primarily related to use for viral infections in children and teenagers. In these groups, aspirin should not be used to treat flu-related pain and fever.