Información General Sobre La Influenza H1N1
About Seasonal & H1N1 Flu
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness. Every year various strains of the seasonal flu circulate in our community causing “the flu” in tens of thousands of people. This fall, a new influenza virus is circulating and causing health care organizations to be more concerned than ever about flu prevention. This virus is called novel H1N1 and is the source of the pandemic that began in June, 2009. The table on this page shows the differences and similarities between the seasonal flu and the novel H1N1 flu.
You do not need to remember all of the details of this new flu virus. What you really need to know is how to prevent both seasonal and novel H1N1 flu. Through our Flu Granny Campaign, the Ottawa County Health Department has been reminding you:
- For crying out loud, get your flu shot!
- For the umpteenth time, wash your hands!
- For goodness sake, cover your mouth when you sneeze!
- You are old enough to know better; do not go to work sick!
Questions and concerns about seasonal or H1N1 flu? Explore our site. If you cannot find the answers you are looking for, or simply would like to share an idea or suggestion, click here. We would love to hear from you. Check this site periodically as new items will continue to be added to the page. You can also keep up with the often changing flu information by visiting www.facebook.com/flugranny and becoming one of her "fans."
| Novel H1N1 Flu | Seasonal Flu | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. | The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. |
| How is it spread? | Novel H1N1 virus is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with novel H1N1 influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with the viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. | Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. |
| What are the symptoms? | Symptoms of novel H1N1 flu include: Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. | Symptoms of flu include: Fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults |
| How serious is it? | Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. | With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and can lead to death. Each year in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. |
| Who is at risk? | One thing that appears to be different from seasonal flu is that adults older than 64 years do not appear to be at increased risk of novel H1N1-related complications. However, other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this novel H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy. | In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, suppressed immune systems, asthma and kidney disease. |
Additional Information
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick from seasonal of novel H1N1 flu?
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
- Get your seasonal flu vaccination. If recommended for you, get the novel H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. In the absence of a tissue, use the crook of your elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. In the absence of soap and water, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Try to avoid contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, you should 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.)
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, rehydrating beverages, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious
If I have a family member at home who is sick with novel H1N1 flu, should I go to work or school?
Employees or students who are well but who have an ill family member at home with novel H1N1 flu can go to work or school as usual. These individuals should monitor their health every day, and take normal precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water. If they become ill, they should stay home.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with novel H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the aid of fever reducing medicines. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. Avoid normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
Are there medicines to treat novel H1N1 infection?
Yes. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines 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 long can an infected person spread seasonal or H1N1 flu to others?
People infected with seasonal and novel 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.
How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on objects and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
