See also:
This fact sheet provides general information. Check with your local or state public health department for specific information for your community.
H1N1 flu is a respiratory infection. It typically only affects pigs, but it can affect humans. The 2009 strain of the H1N1 flu virus can pass from human to human, so it may spread rapidly. Health experts are concerned that this could cause an influenza pandemic. A pandemic is a worldwide outbreak.
The H1N1 flu can cause mild to severe symptoms. If you think that you have this virus, call your doctor (or as advised by local public health officials).
Type A influenza viruses cause the H1N1 flu. The 2009 outbreak is due to a new subtype of the Type A strain, called H1N1.
H1N1 flu can be spread to humans from contact with infected pigs. These viruses can also spread between humans in the same way that the seasonal flu is spread:
These factors increase your chance of getting the H1N1 flu. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Eating pork or pork products is not a risk factor for getting the H1N1 flu. If you properly cook pork to 160°F (70°C), this will kill the virus.
The following symptoms may be due to H1N1 flu. They may also be due to other conditions.
Call your doctor (or as advised by local public health officials) if both of the following apply to you:
If the H1N1 flu becomes severe, it can cause pneumonia . Deaths have occurred, but this has been rare. The H1N1 flu can also worsen medical conditions you may already have.
Seek urgent medical care if you have emergency warning signs.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and travel history. If you are at high risk for the H1N1 flu, your doctor may give you special instructions before you visit the hospital or doctor’s office (such as not going into the waiting room).
During your visit, your doctor will examine you and may take samples of secretions from your nose or throat. Your doctor will test these secretions for the virus.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
Do not use products sold on the Internet claiming to treat the H1N1 flu. Talk to your doctor before using such products.
Approved treatment options include the following:
Antiviral medicines used to treat the H1N1 flu include:
Oseltamivir (and perhaps zanamivir) may increase the risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking, especially in children. Children should be closely followed for signs of unusual behavior.
These medications do not cure the flu. They may help relieve symptoms and shorten the time you are sick. They should be taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms.
Other antiviral medications sometimes used to treat type A influenza (amantadine or rimantadine ) do not work against the H1N1 flu.
There are other measures you can take, such as:
* Aspirin is not recommended for children or teens with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving a child or teen aspirin.
For the latest travel warnings, visit the CDC's Traveler's Health page.
There is no vaccine to prevent the H1N1 flu.
There are general measures you can take to reduce your risk of getting the virus:
Do not use products sold on the Internet claiming to prevent the H1N1 flu. Talk to your doctor before using such products.
If you are taking care of someone who has the H1N1 flu, follow these steps:
For more information, visit the CDC's page on caring for someone with the H1N1 flu.
Medicines to prevent the H1N1 flu, such as Zanamivir (Relenza) or Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), are recommended for:
Ask your doctor if you should take preventative medicine.
If you have the H1N1 flu, take these steps to avoid spreading it to others:
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
References:
Carson-DeWitt R. Avian influenza. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at:http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81. Updated February 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Carson-DeWitt R. Flu. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=81. Updated January 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
DynaMed Editorial Team. Swine influenza. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://hldemo.ebscohost.com/DynaMed-SwineFlu. Updated May 1, 2009. Accessed May 1, 2009.
H1N1 flu (swine flu) and you. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm. Updated May 3, 2009. Accessed May 3, 2009.
Human swine influenza investigation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm. Updated April 27, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Interim guidance on case definitions to be used for investigations of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) Cases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/casedef_swineflu.htm. Updated April 30, 2009. Accessed May 1, 2009.
Interim guidance for screening for swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) by state and local health departments, hospitals, and clinicians in regions with few or no reported cases of swine influenza A (H1N1). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/screening.htm. Updated April 29, 2009. Accessed April 30, 2009.
Key facts about swine influenza (swine flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm. Updated April 24, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Outbreak notice: swine influenza in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx. Updated April 27, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Podcast: swine flu. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11226. Published April 25, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Questions and answers: swine influenza and you. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm. Updated April 26, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Risk of swine flu associated with travel to affected areas. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx. Updated April 27, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Swine influenza (flu) in pigs and people. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/brochure.pdf. Published April 24, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
Swine influenza frequently asked questions. World Health Organization website. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf. Updated April 26, 2009. Accessed April 27, 2009.
United States Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns websites against marketing fraudulent H1N1 flu virus claims. United States Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm166801.htm. Updated June 15, 2009. Accessed June 16, 2009.
Last reviewed May 2009 by Richard Glickman-Simon, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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