|
2009 H1N1 Flu
What is 2009
H1N1 (swine flu)?
2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus
causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people
in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from
person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular
seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the
World Health Organization
(WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.
Is 2009 H1N1 virus
contagious?
The 2009 H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.
How does 2009 H1N1 virus
spread?
Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that
seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to
person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes
people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or
object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Can I get
2009 H1N1 more than once?
Getting infected with any influenza virus, including 2009 H1N1, should
cause your body to develop immune resistance to that virus so it's not
likely that a person would be infected with the identical influenza
virus more than once. (However, people with weakened immune systems
might not develop full immunity after infection and might be more likely
to get infected with the same influenza virus more than once.)
What are the signs and
symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with
the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a
fever. Severe illnesses and deaths have occurred as a result of illness
associated with this virus.
People at High Risk for Developing Flu-Related Complications
People who have medical
conditions including:
-
Asthma
-
Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
.
-
Chronic lung disease (such as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
-
Heart disease
(such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and
coronary artery disease)
-
Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
-
Endocrine disorders (such as
diabetes
mellitus)
-
Kidney disorders
-
Liver disorders
-
Metabolic disorders (such as inherited
metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
-
Weakened immune system due to disease or
medication (such as people with
HIV or AIDS,
or
cancer,
or those on chronic steroids)
-
People younger than 19 years of age who are
receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be
able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days
after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people
with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1
virus.
What can I
do to protect myself from getting sick?
There are everyday actions that
can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses
like the flu.
Take these everyday steps
to protect your health:
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.
|