| H1N1 Update
February 2010
The Center for Disease Control reports that Flu activity is relatively low at this time, with most flu continuing to be caused by 2009 H1N1. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but it is expected to continue for several more months.
Personal steps to keep from getting or spreading H1N1 flu.
- Stay home if you have influenza-like symptoms or other symptoms of respiratory illness.
- Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue and properly dispose of the tissue.
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to reduce the risk germs on your fingers enter your body.
Symptoms of H1N1 flu usually include high fever with a cough, sore throat or both. Some with H1N1 flu also have reported extreme tiredness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q: What is novel H1N1 Flu (swine flu) and how is it transmitted?
A. The respiratory virus currently circulating in the United States is passed from person to person without contact with pigs. The name now being used is H1N1 flu. H1N1 flu is a respiratory illness thought to spread in the same way seasonal flu is spread, which is through people infected with the virus who are coughing or sneezing. It can be spread by touching something with flu viruses on it such as a tissue or a door knob and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
Q: How can I avoid getting infected?
A: You can protect yourself from the H1N1 flu by washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. You also can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Stay away from people who are sick (especially if they have fever, cough and a sore throat). Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
Q: What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
A: Almost all people in Texas with confirmed H1N1 flu have had a sudden onset of fever (half having a temperature greater than 102.5oF) and cough. Most have had a sore throat. Almost everyone with H1N1 flu has been taken care of at home and recovered in a few days. Illnesses with a lot of nasal congestion and mild fever are probably not H1N1 flu. Illnesses with diarrhea and vomiting are probably not H1N1 flu, although some with a confirmed case of H1N1 have had such symptoms.
Other symptoms may include runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. People may have only one or two symptoms besides the fever or they may have many. People can infect others with the H1N1 flu even before they show symptoms and they remain contagious for seven or more days after they become sick.
Q: What do I do if I have these symptoms?
A: Stay home from work, school, errands, and limit close contact with others to keep from infecting them. In most cases people with H1N1 flu will get better without medical attention. If you have been diagnosed with H1N1, stay home while you have symptoms. Stay home for at least seven days from the time you first have symptoms. Wait to be around people until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications.
If you are at risk for complications of influenza, call your health care provider. Follow your provider's advice. Most people with nasal congestion and mild fever don't have H1N1 flu.
If you have mild symptoms, do not call your health care provider or visit the hospital emergency room. Get plenty of rest, drink fluids, take fever reducing medications if needed. WARNING: DO NOT give aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to children and youth 18 years and younger.
Q: Who is at risk of complications of flu?
A: The following groups of people are at greater risk of complications from H1N1 flu:
Adults and children with certain chronic medical conditions including chronic lung problems such as asthma, heart, liver, blood, nervous system, muscular or metabolic disorders such as diabetes; pregnant women; children younger than five years old (under 12 months are especially vulnerable); adults and children who have immunodeficiency or immuno-suppression, including that caused by medications such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy or diseases such as HIV/AIDS; children ages six months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection; persons 50 years old or older, particularly 65 years or older; and people who live in settings such as nursing homes, residential schools and jails.
Q: What are considered severe symptoms?
A:
| Adults |
Children |
| Difficulty breathing |
Fast breathing or trouble breathing |
| Purple or blue discoloration of the lips |
Bluish or gray skin color |
| Vomiting and unable to keep liquids down |
Not drinking enough fluids |
| Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination
or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry |
Not waking up or not interacting |
| Seizures or uncontrolled convulsions |
Being so irritable the child does not want to be held |
| Loss of consciousness |
Flu-like symptoms that improve then return with fever and worse cough |
| Alteration in thinking |
Fever with a rash |
IF SEVERE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. IF THE HEALTHCARE
PROVIDER IS NOT AVAILABLE, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
Additional information regarding H1N1 influenza in Texas can be found at The
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
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