Type A Influenza Virus (N1H1) Special InformationAbout the Disease Influenza A H1N1 (formerly referred to as “swine influenza”) is a respiratory illness that is believed to have derived from a virus that affects pigs. It is caused by a Type A Influenza Virus (H1N1). Human infections are rare, but they do occur, and versions of this virus that have derived from pigs have been known to be spread from person to person. In the past, this transmission from person to person was limited, and not sustained beyond three people. You cannot get Influenza A H1N1 (“swine flu”) from eating pork or pork products. Properly cooked pork products pose no threat of contracting the virus. All types of influenza spread from person to person when the virus is expelled from the body of an infected person who coughs or sneezes. Droplet particles containing the virus can remain in the air and be inhaled by others, and can contaminate surfaces such as counters, desk or table tops, doorknobs or telephone handsets; the virus can live up to 2 hours on these surfaces. An uninfected person can contract the flu by touching these contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. Those infected with the virus are able to infect others with it beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 7 days after becoming ill. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. Symptoms of Influenza A H1N1 flu are like those of human flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Occasionally, diarrhea and vomiting are associated with flu. Like regular flu, Influenza A H1N1 can lead to severe illness (such as pneumonia or respiratory failure) and can cause worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. Why We are Concerned Now This spring, beginning in late March, human cases of Influenza A H1N1 were reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. As of May 1, 2009, more than 100 cases of this type of influenza have been identified throughout the U.S. In the current outbreak of this influenza, it is known that the virus is contagious, but it is not yet known how easily the virus spreads between people. Authorities in the U.S. are monitoring the situation closely, to determine if other unexplained illnesses may have been caused by Influenza A H1N1, and to determine how easily the virus is spreading. (NOTE: An “outbreak” merely means that the number of cases of an illness is higher than usual. Outbreaks may lead to an “epidemic,” a condition in which the disease spreads rapidly and widely in a localized region or country, or to a “pandemic,” a worldwide outbreak of the disease affecting millions of people.) Mexican authorities attribute more than 3,000 cases of Influenza A H1N1 with more than 150 deaths attributable to the virus. Virtually all of the deaths have taken place in patients experiencing extensive lung damage from the disease, and most of the fatal cases have been previously healthy people aged 25-50 years. It is not known why this current strain of flu is so deadly to persons in this age range, although there is speculation that a strong immune reaction to the disease in people with a healthy, strong immune system actually ends up destroying healthy tissue. (Of interest, the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-19, which took the lives of 50 million people worldwide, had a similar effect on the younger, healthier portion of the population.) The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the current outbreak as a level 5 concern (on a scale of 1 to 6) which indicates that the illness caused by Influenza A H1N1 has the potential of becoming a pandemic. Now is the time to make preparations to prevent the disruptions caused by millions of people becoming ill in a short period of time. What We Can Do About It Prevention if you do not have the flu – WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!! Frequent handwashing, using CDC recommended handwashing techniques, is your most effective weapon against the flu. Try not to touch contaminated surfaces, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. You may want to cancel or reschedule travel to areas with a high number of reported cases. Prevention if you do have the flu -- WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!! Frequent handwashing, using CDC recommended handwashing techniques, is your best way to avoid spreading the flu to others. Practice good cough etiquette. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away promptly after you use it. If a tissue is not handy, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve rather than into your hands. If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Vaccines -- There is no vaccine available at this time for Influenza A H1N1. The flu vaccine you may have received last fall will not prevent your contracting this strain of flu; however, the Indiana State Department of Health has suggested that, if you had the 2008-09 flu shot, you may suffer a milder case of H1N1 infection than otherwise, with fewer complications. Vaccines typically take 6 months (in the best of cases) for development and manufacture in mass quantities, so it is unlikely that a specific vaccine will be available for the current outbreak for several months. Medications -- Laboratory testing has determined that the current flu virus (H1N1) is treatable with prescription anti-viral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). To be effective in treatment of the flu, these medications must be given no more than 2 days after flu symptoms begin. They fight the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. They can make the illness milder and prevent complications. These medications may also be used to prevent the flu, but their use for this purpose should be reserved for persons who qualify under guidelines issued by the CDC for appropriate administration of these medications: Preventive treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir may also be considered for healthcare workers who are at high-risk for complications of influenza working in an area with confirmed swine influenza cases and caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness. Warning Signs -- Generally, if you become ill with the flu, you should stay home and avoid contact with others as much as you can to prevent further spread of the illness; however, you should seek medical attention promptly if any of the following occur Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm 5-1-2009 |