Swine flu, H1N1 flu: Facts you should know about symptoms and vaccination
September 2009

Two strains of flu, seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu, are currently circulating. A third, highly lethal H5N1 (Bird) flu is being closely tracked overseas. Most healthy people recover from the flu without problems, but certain people are at high risk for serious complications.

A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population; the virus causes serious illness and spreads easily from person-to-person worldwide. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a global pandemic of H1N1 (Swine) flu is underway.

Symptoms of Flu

Seasonal Flu

All types of flu can cause:

1. Fever
2. Coughing and/or sore throat
3. Runny or stuffy nose
4. Headaches and/or body aches
5. Chills
6. Fatigue

H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Same as seasonal flu, but symptoms may be more severe.

1. Fever
2. Coughing and/or sore throat
3. Runny or stuffy nose
4. Headaches and/or body aches
5. Chills
6. Fatigue

In addition to the above symptoms, a number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases reported:

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea

Taking Care of Yourself If You Are Sick

If you have been diagnosed with H1N1 (swine) flu, you should stay home, follow your doctor’s orders, and watch for signs that you need immediate medical attention.

1. You should stay at home until you have been free of fever or signs of a fever, for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication.
2. Avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu, such as people age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, young children, and infants.
3. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after using tissues or coughing/sneezing into your hands.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes.
5. Wear a facemask when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.
6. Drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages made for infants to prevent becoming dehydrated.
7. Get plenty of rest.
8. Get medical attention right away if you:
    
   • Have difficulty breathing or chest pain
   • Have purple or blue discoloration of your lips
   • Are vomiting and unable to keep liquids down, or
   • Show signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing or being unable to urinate

The Facts about Vaccination

The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine are separate injections. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year, while the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is in development for the fall of 2009. It has recently got the approval for use in Europe.

The seasonal flu is still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 (Swine) flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each is intended to be used along-side one another.

It is anticipated that seasonal flu H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, it is likely that the seasonal vaccine will be available earlier than the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, recommends the following groups be given priority for the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available:

1. Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
    
2. Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated.
    
3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity
   .
4. All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
    
5. Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 (Swine) flu in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
    
6. Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 (Swine) flu in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.
    
7. Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from influenza. These conditions include asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and heart or kidney disease.

Bibliography

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2. PandemicFlu.gov
3. World Health Organization