2009 H1N1 Flu & You
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2009 H1N1 Flu & You
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute
2009 H1N1, sometimes called “swine flu”, is a new influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people. Because this virus is very different from current seasonal influenza viruses, many people will not have protective immunity against it and and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against it either.
Influenze is unpredictable, but this flu season could be worse than recent years because of the 2009 H1N1 virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are preparing for an early flu season and expects both 2009 H1N1 virus and seasonal flu to cause illness, hospital stays, and deaths this season.
How does 2009 H1N1 flu spread?
Both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are thought to spread mostly from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People may also get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
How long can a sick person spread 2009 H1N1 flu to others?
People infected with 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to about 7 days after getting sick. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.
How severe is illness associated with this 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
2009 H1N1 flu illness has ranged from mild to severe. Most healthy people who have been sick with 2009 H1N1 have recovered without needing medical treatment; however, hospitalizations and deaths from 2009 H1N1 have occurred.
Who is at greatest risk of infection with this new virus?
So far, younger people have been more likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 flu than older people. Most cases of 2009 H1N1 have occurred in people younger than 25 years of age. At this time, there are relatively few cases of 2009 H1N1 in people 65 or older, which is unusual compared with seasonal flu.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick from 2009 H1N1 flu?
CDC recommends a three-step approach to fighting the flu: vaccination, everyday preventive actions including frequent hand washing and staying home when sick, and the correct use of antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.
Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
- 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.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for several days; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, facemsks, and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What should I do if I get sick?
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. Most people have been able to recover at home from 2009 H1N1 without needing medical care and the same is true of seasonal flu.
For more information on 2009 H1N1, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or call 800 CDC-INFO.
