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H1N1 Flu FAQ

What is H1N1 Influenza?

H1N1 (swine flu) is a respiratory disease that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. This H1N1 is a new flu strain, meaning there is no vaccine developed, and humans have no immunity. Consequently, we may see more cases, possibly among a younger and healthier population than with a normal seasonal flu strain. To date, information from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta suggests this new H1N1 virus causes illness that is no more severe than that caused by seasonal influenza viruses.

How can I avoid getting H1N1 Influenza?

The most effective precautions healthy people can take to prevent contracting this, or any virus, include:

Frequent hand washing (with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer)
Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve
Keeping away from people who are sick
Take normal steps to keep yourself healthy including getting plenty of good nutrition, rest, and physical activity

What should I do if I’m experiencing symptoms of H1N1 Influenza?

If you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should contact your primary care provider who will determine if influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can access the New York State flu hotline at 1-800-808-1987. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading the illness.

When should I go to the emergency department?

For most people, the flu means several days of feeling very sick while the virus runs its course. People experiencing regular symptoms should not go to the emergency department for care. However, you should seek emergency medical care right away if you begin to experience any of these more severe symptoms:

Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Purple or blue discoloration of the lips and fingers
Vomiting and inability to keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, or absence of urination
Confusion or disorientation

Are there medications to treat H1N1 Influenza?

While there are no medicines that will cure a virus, over the counter flu products can often provide symptom relief. In some cases your family physician may prescribe an antiviral medication, which can also sometimes shorten the duration of the flu.

Caring for People with H1N1 Influenza

Adults with H1N1

Influenza are considered potentially contagious as long as they have symptoms, and possibly for up to seven days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for up to ten days. During this time, it is important they remain at home and should avoid close contact with others. The following guidelines can help you safely care for infected friends and family members during this period:

Check with a primary care provider to determine any special care or medications that may be necessary.
Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
Make sure the infected person gets ample rest and plenty of clear fluids to avoid dehydration.
Watch for emergency warning signs that might indicate medical attention is necessary.

If You Are the Caregiver:

Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person.
When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so they will not cough in your face.
Caregivers might catch flu from the person they are caring for and then might be able to spread the flu to others before showing symptoms. Therefore, the caregiver should wear a mask when they leave their home to keep from spreading flu to others.

Preventing the Spread of Flu in the Home:

Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible.
Care for the person in a room separate from the common areas of the house with a door that can remain closed.
If possible, a separate bathroom should be used. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant.
Everyone in the household should clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing.
If possible, maintain good ventilation in shared household areas - keep windows open in bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.).

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal:

Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
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.
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 right after handling dirty laundry.

Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm


	View Print-Friendly Page H1N1 Flu FAQ What is H1N1 Influenza? H1N1 (swine flu) is a respiratory disease that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. This H1N1 is a new flu strain, meaning there is no vaccine developed, and humans have no immunity. Consequently, we may see more cases, possibly among a younger and healthier population than with a normal seasonal flu strain. To date, information from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta suggests this new H1N1 virus causes illness that is no more severe than that caused by seasonal influenza viruses. How can I avoid getting H1N1 Influenza? The most effective precautions healthy people can take to prevent contracting this, or any virus, include: Frequent hand washing (with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer) Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve Keeping away from people who are sick Take normal steps to keep yourself healthy including getting plenty of good nutrition, rest, and physical activity What should I do if I’m experiencing symptoms of H1N1 Influenza? If you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should contact your primary care provider who will determine if influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can access the New York State flu hotline at 1-800-808-1987. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading the illness. When should I go to the emergency department? For most people, the flu means several days of feeling very sick while the virus runs its course. People experiencing regular symptoms should not go to the emergency department for care. However, you should seek emergency medical care right away if you begin to experience any of these more severe symptoms: Difficulty breathing or chest pain Purple or blue discoloration of the lips and fingers Vomiting and inability to keep liquids down Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, or absence of urination Confusion or disorientation Are there medications to treat H1N1 Influenza? While there are no medicines that will cure a virus, over the counter flu products can often provide symptom relief. In some cases your family physician may prescribe an antiviral medication, which can also sometimes shorten the duration of the flu. Caring for People with H1N1 Influenza Adults with H1N1 Influenza are considered potentially contagious as long as they have symptoms, and possibly for up to seven days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for up to ten days. During this time, it is important they remain at home and should avoid close contact with others. The following guidelines can help you safely care for infected friends and family members during this period: Check with a primary care provider to determine any special care or medications that may be necessary. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. Make sure the infected person gets ample rest and plenty of clear fluids to avoid dehydration. Watch for emergency warning signs that might indicate medical attention is necessary. If You Are the Caregiver: Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person. When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so they will not cough in your face. Caregivers might catch flu from the person they are caring for and then might be able to spread the flu to others before showing symptoms. Therefore, the caregiver should wear a mask when they leave their home to keep from spreading flu to others. Preventing the Spread of Flu in the Home: Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible. Care for the person in a room separate from the common areas of the house with a door that can remain closed. If possible, a separate bathroom should be used. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant. Everyone in the household should clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing. If possible, maintain good ventilation in shared household areas - keep windows open in bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.). Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal: Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste. 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. 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 right after handling dirty laundry. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm

View Print-Friendly Page H1N1 Flu FAQ

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H1N1 Flu FAQ