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UPDATE [October 19, 2009, 10:30 AM]: The U.S. Department of the State held a briefing entitled "H1N1 and U.S. Citizens Abroad Information Briefing" which can be found here. May 20, 2009, 11:00 AM: Last week the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene scaled down its emergency efforts from round-the-clock operations to extended and expanded surveillance. The press release can be read here. Currently there are 21 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases of H1N1, in Maryland. Further information can be found here. Key Facts*What is the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus?
The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, also known as Swine Influenza (swine flu), is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Can humans catch this virus?
2009 H1N1 viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with the 2009 H1N1 strain have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading the 2009 H1N1 strain to others. What are the signs and symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 strain in people?
The symptoms of this strain are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with 2009 H1N1. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with 2009 H1N1 infection in people. Like seasonal flu, the 2009 H1N1 strain may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. How does the 2009 H1N1 strain spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Are there medicines to treat 2009 H1N1?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) 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. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. The 2009 H1N1 strain is not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. What You Can Do To Stay Healthy*There is no vaccine available right now to protect against 2009 H1N1. 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, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing? If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. When washing one's hands -- with soap and warm water - it is recommended to do so 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 To Do If You Get Sick*If you live in areas where suspected or confirmed swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. 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 skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- 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
- Fever with a rash
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
*Information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control
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