Get the Facts About Novel H1N1 Influenza. Content Source: U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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1 Get the Facts About Novel H1N1 Influenza Content Source: U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2 Novel H1N1 Influenza Novel H1N1 (referred to a swine flu early on) is a new influenza virus that is spreading from person-to-person. The United States government has declared a public health emergency in the U.S. in response to the H1N1 outbreak. CDC s response goals are to: Reduce transmission and illness severity Provide information to help health care providers, public health officials, and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.

3 Novel H1N1 Influenza The first cases of human infection with novel H1N1 influenza virus were detected in April 2009 in San Diego and Imperial County, California and in Guadalupe County, Texas. The virus has spread rapidly. The virus is widespread in the United States at this time and has been detected internationally as well.

4 Novel H1N1 Influenza CDC expects that more cases, more hospitalizations, and more deaths from this outbreak will occur over the coming days and months. Influenza is always serious each year in the United States, seasonal influenza results, on average, in an estimated 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations from flu-related causes. This outbreak certainly poses the potential to be at least as serious as seasonal flu, if not more so, especially given the fact that there currently is no vaccine against this virus. Because this is a new virus, most people will not have immunity to it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result.

5 Potential Signs and Symptoms Symptoms of novel H1N1 flu in people are similar to those associated with seasonal flu. Fever Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Body aches Headache Chills Fatigue In addition, vomiting (25%) and diarrhea (25%) have been reported. (Higher rate than for seasonal flu.)

6 How does novel H1N1 Influenza spread? This virus is thought to spread the same way seasonal flu spreads. Germs primarily spread through respiratory droplets: Coughing Sneezing Touching respiratory droplets on yourself, another person, or an object, then touching mucus membranes (e.g., mouth, nose, eyes) without washing hands

7 Can you get novel H1N1 Influenza from eating pork? No. The novel H1N1 influenza virus (formerly referred to as swine flu) virus is not spread by food. You cannot get novel H1N1 flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

8 What can you do to protect yourself from getting sick? There is a vaccine that is in the trial phase right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. The vaccine is set to be released to the public in mid October. However, everyday actions can help prevent spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

9 Take these everyday steps to protect your health Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Wash for seconds. Alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers are also effective.

10 8 Ways You Can Stay Healthy at Work You can protect yourself and others by following these key action steps. 1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation. 2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. 3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way. 4. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles. 5. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc. 6. Do not use other workers phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a co-worker s phone, desk, or other equipment, clean it first.

11 8 Ways You Can Stay Healthy at Work 7. Don t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home. Symptoms of flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines. 8. Get vaccinated against seasonal flu, when vaccine is available in your area. If you are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications you should receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit

12 How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)? Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. What kills influenza virus? Influenza virus is destroyed by heat ( F [ C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodinebased antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed into hands until they are dry.

13 What if soap and water are not available and alcoholbased products are not allowed in my facility? If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful. What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination? Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

14 Watch for emergency warning signs Most people should be able to recover at home, but watch for emergency warning signs that mean you should seek immediate medical care. In adults symptoms may include : Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness Confusion Severe or persistent vomiting Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

15 Emergency warning signs in children If a child gets sick and experiences any of these warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In children symptoms may include: Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish or gray skin color Not drinking enough fluids Severe or persistent vomiting Not waking up or not interacting Irritable, the child does not want to be held Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

What is CDC doing? CDC has implemented its emergency response. CDC continues to issue new interim guidance for clinicians and public health professionals.

16 What is CDC doing? CDC has implemented its emergency response. CDC continues to issue new interim guidance for clinicians and public health professionals. They have also established a Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers at CDC s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has sent 25% of the SNS stockpile of antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak.

17 What is CDC doing? CDC is working closely with state and local officials nationwide. CDC teams are deployed and many other activities and studies are underway or are being planned. CDC also is coordinating closely with the World Health Organization and other international partners.

18 Summary CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks because the population has little to no immunity against it. We must all work together to limit and control the transmission of novel H1N1 influenza.

19 Summary For the most current information on the H1N1 influenza outbreak, visit CDC, WHO, and public health officials worldwide are carefully monitoring the situation. Follow all recommendations for preventing the spread of influenza. For local guidance, contact your state, local, or county health officials.

20 Resources CDC-INFO ( )

INFLUENZA (FLU) Flu and You

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