Click here for up-to- date information:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
www.H1N1inPA.com
Click here for a H1N1 (Swine Flu) Fact Sheet
FAQ:
Most people experience mild illness and recover at home. When should someone seek medical care?
A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child appears confused or overly weak and/or tired, has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures). Supportive care at home - resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches - is adequate for recovery in most cases. (A non-aspirin pain reliever should be used by children and young adults because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.)
What is the severity of the current situation?
At this time, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic’s impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.
The moderate assessment reflects that:
Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A (H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.
WHO is concerned about current patterns of serious cases and deaths that are occurring primarily among young persons, including the previously healthy and those with pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy. Large outbreaks of disease have not yet been reported in many countries, and the full clinical spectrum of disease is not yet known.
Will new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccines be safe?
Licensed vaccines, including influenza vaccines, are held to a very high standard of safety. Likewise, all possible precautions will be taken to ensure safety of new pandemic vaccines and results from clinical trials, currently ongoing or soon to be initiated, will be taken into consideration by the regulatory authorities in their decision to license pandemic vaccines. In early June, WHO held a consultation of experts which reviewed the safety of adjuvants, or substances added to vaccines to make them more effective; no significant safety concerns were identified. Vaccine safety will be carefully monitored through post-marketing surveillance.
How can a repeat of the 1976 swine flu vaccine complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome) experienced in the United States of America be avoided?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute disorder of the nervous system. It sometimes develops following a variety of infections, including influenza. Studies suggest that seasonal influenza vaccines could sometimes be associated with an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome on the order of one to two cases per million vaccinated persons. During the 1976 influenza vaccination campaign, about 10 persons per million vaccinated persons developed GBS which stopped the vaccination campaign and led to the withdrawal of the vaccine. The reason why GBS developed in association with that specific vaccine has never been firmly established. The potential for the development of a similar risk with future vaccines can never be firmly excluded. However, the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine will be manufactured according to established standards and post marketing surveillance will be conducted to monitor potential development of any serious adverse events following administration of vaccine. Safety monitoring systems are an integral part of strategies for the implementation of the new pandemic influenza vaccines.
Who should receive the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available?
Currently the CDC recommends only certain high-risk groups receive the H1N1 vaccine when available. These groups include:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• People ages 25 – 64 with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
In addition to the classic flu symptoms, my son was also vomiting. Could this still be H1N1?
2009 H1N1 flu virus infection (formerly known as swine flu) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and
diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1, and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Like seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1 flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Severe disease with pneumonia,
respiratory failure and even death is possible with 2009 H1N1 flu infection. Certain groups might be more likely to develop a severe illness from 2009 H1N1 flu infection, such as pregnant women and persons with chronic medical conditions.
Sometimes bacterial infections may occur at the same time as or after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonias, ear infections, or sinus infections.
One of my staff wanted to know if she “could be a carrier” of the flu, but never get it herself. Both of her kids have been sick (off and on) for weeks, and she said she’s tired, but really doesn’t feel sick. She just wants to be sure she isn’t “carrying the flu” to others.
The simple answer is NO. But this has never been studied (and likely never will).
Are there any special instructions for handling items used by someone with the H1N1 flu?
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water right after
handling dirty laundry. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.* CDC
Has the number of Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) cases peaked?
Most typical Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) peak within a three to four week window which is about where we are locally. The emergency department has seen a slight decrease in activity over the past few days which could be an indicator that we
are on the downward side of this particular ILI.
When will the regular seasonal flu activity begin?
Timing is uncertain. In past years, seasonal flu activity typically did not reach its peak in the U.S. until January or February, but flu activity has occurred as late as May. However, the 2009 H1N1 flu virus caused illness, hospitalizations, and deaths
in the U.S. during the summer months when influenza is very uncommon. So it is not known when flu activity will increase, when it will be most intense (peak), what viruses will circulate, or how long the season might last.
Should pregnant women even put themselves at risk by working in a hospital setting during the peak of flu season?
There are no restrictions for pregnant workers. Pregnant healthcare workers are encouraged to discuss their risk with their doctor. Call your doctor right away if you have flu symptoms or if you have close contact with someone who has the flu.
Where can I get the H1N1 vaccine?
Unfortunately, we at MMC do not have access to the timeline for the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Currently the best options are to contact your primary care physician or watch in the paper for any available clinics.
If I have been diagnosed with a mild case of H1N1 flu, can you get it again?
If you were truly diagnosed with H1N1, then you will not get the H1N1 again in the same calendar year.
Should a college student living on campus - have both the regular flu shot and the H1N1?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 groups of people are considered most vulnerable to complications from the H1N1 virus and should consider getting the vaccination for H1N1 flu when it first becomes
available.
The CDC has identified the following groups as priority groups for receiving the vaccination.
• Pregnant women
• Persons six months to 24 years old
• Healthcare providers and EMS personnel
• Parents, household members or caregivers of children under 6 months
• Those under 65 with certain underlying medical conditions
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu can get a seasonal influenza vaccine. However, it is recommended that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of
aving serious seasonal flu-related complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious seasonal flu-related complications.
Why have the H1N1 Death estimates suddenly gone up?
The jump in estimates of fatalities is not an indication that the H1N1 flu is worsening just a different method of quantifying the true toll. CDC does not know exactly how many people die from seasonal flu each year.
There are several reasons for this:
• First, states are not required to report individual seasonal flu cases or deaths of people older than 18 years of age to CDC.
• Second, seasonal influenza is infrequently listed on death certificates of people who die from flu-related complications.
• Third, many seasonal flu-related deaths occur one or two weeks after a person’s initial infection, either because the person may develop a secondary bacterial co-infection (such as a staph infection) or because seasonal influenza can aggravate an existing chronic illness (such as congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• Also, most people who die from seasonal flu-related complications are not tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when seasonal influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples. Influenza tests are most likely to detect influenza if performed soon after onset of illness.
• For these reasons, many flu-related deaths may not be recorded on death certificates.
Could you better clarify the question about whether or not you should get the H1N1 vaccination if you have already had the season flu shot. Is it ok to get both?
This flu season, scientists expect both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to cause more people to get sick than a regular flu season. This flu season, you are encouraged to get both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations.