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How can I protect myself against H1N1?
As with seasonal flu, individuals and families can do several simple things to prevent infection and stop the spread of disease:
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you have no tissue handy, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a seasonal flu shot. Seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H1N1 Flu. The H1N1 Flu vaccine will be given as a separate shot when it becomes available.
What is H1N1?
H1N1 (commonly referred to as swine flu) is widespread in the United States and has been detected internationally. A public health emergency has been declared in the United States in response to the H1N1 outbreak.
How does H1N1 spread?
The spread of 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.
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people 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. Severe illnesses and death have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
What are the priority populations for receiving H1N1 vaccine when it is available?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), made recommendations on who should receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. While some issues are still unknown, such as how severe the virus will be during the fall and winter months, the ACIP considered several factors, including current disease patterns, populations most at-risk for severe illness based on current trends in illness, hospitalizations and deaths, how much vaccine is expected to be available, and the timing of vaccine availability.
The groups recommended to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine include:
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age
- Young adults 19 through 24 years of age
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
More information about Influenza A (H1N1) swine flu and status updates:
Links:
- Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/
- flu.gov
http://www.flu.gov
