What is H1N1 Flu?

H1N1 is a type of influenza (flu) virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. Most people infected with this virus in the United States have had mild disease, but some have had more severe illness, and there have been some deaths. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. More information about who may be at higher risk will be available when more is known about the disease. There are steps you can take to protect your family and to know when to seek medical care.


How is the H1N1 flu different from seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?

With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than 5 years old. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65.

The 2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu.  However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills and fatigue
• Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea

Typically, flu infections cause mild disease in children, but children under 5 years old are more likely to have serious illness than older children. Although rare, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths have been reported with flu infections in children. Flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions.

Treatment for H1N1 flu

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or Zanamivir (Relenza) is used to treat and/or prevent the infection of  H1N1 flu virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) 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. During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications.

How to keep from getting it:

Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. We think H1N1 flu spreads the same way as other flu viruses.  To protect yourself:

• 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.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

H1N1 vaccination

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is coordinating distribution of an estimated 195 million doses of vaccine to the states. The California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch – in conjunction with local health departments - is organizing distribution of vaccine to qualified providers throughout California.

The CDC recommends the following groups have priority in receiving vaccine:

• pregnant women
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
• healthcare and emergency medical services personnel,
• persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and
• people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza complications because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

Frequent Asked Flu Questions

How widespread is the current outbreak of new influenza A (H1N1) swine flu?

The 2009 influenza pandemic has spread internationally with unprecedented speed. In past pandemics, influenza viruses have needed more than six months to spread as widely as the new H1N1 virus spread in less than six weeks. Further spread of the virus is considered inevitable. In the United States, swine flu (Influenza A - H1N1) accounts for the vast majority of influenza viruses being reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

As of October 2, 2009, California is among the states reporting widespread influenza activity. As of September 26, the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHA) reports that in Orange County there have been 244 people hospitalized with H1N1, and 22 fatalities. The California Department of Public Health reports 2510 hospitalizations and 188 deaths.

Which age group is most at risk for the (H1N1) swine flu?

According to the CDC, groups at higher risk for influenza related complications from 2009 H1N1 are similar to those at higher risk for seasonal influenza complications. They include: children younger than 5 years old (risk is highest in children younger than 2 years old); adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (for example, asthma, diabetes, lung disease, people with weakened immune systems, etc.) and people younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy. Children 2-4 years of age are at somewhat higher risk of hospitalization from 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu compared to older children, and for seasonal flu and have high rates of outpatient and emergency department visits for influenza.

What should I do if I or my family gets sick?

If you live in areas where 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 your healthcare provider, particularly if you are worried about you or your family’s symptoms. Your healthcare 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

According to WHO, the swine flu has been characterized, to date, by the mildness of symptoms in the overwhelming majority of patients, who usually recover, even without medical treatment, within a week of the onset of symptoms.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Will H1N1 affect my travel plans?
Click here for a link to the CDC's flu and travel website.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu?No, it is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.

How important will influenza A(H1N1) vaccines be for reducing pandemic disease?

Vaccines are one of the most valuable ways to protect people during influenza epidemics and pandemics. Other measures include anti-viral drugs, social distancing and personal hygiene. Health officials expect H1N1 vaccine to be available this fall.

Can the seasonal flu vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?

The CDC anticipates that seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, you can expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

Where can I find more information?

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website provides weekly updates on the H1N! flu and is available in English or Spanish
http://flu.gov/

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is the government agency who provides information and direction on managing diseases such as the H1N1 flu.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

California Department of Public Health website provides information on H1N1 vaccination
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/H1N1Vaccine.aspx

Texas Department of State Health Services website offers information on the flu.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/default.shtm