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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
H1N1 is a new strain of the flu virus that affects humans. In the U.S.,
it was first identified in people in April 2009. As of the fourth
quarter of 2009, the virus is spreading worldwide, from person to
person. Experts say that H1N1 infection is spread the way regular
seasonal flu viruses spread: by coughing, sneezing, and touching
contaminated surfaces. In June 2009, the World Health Organization
announced that a pandemic - or a worldwide epidemic - of H1N1 infection
had begun.
Genetically, the H1N1 flu virus has two genes from flu viruses that are
commonly circulated in pigs found in Europe and Asia, and also bird and
human genes. You cannot get H1N1 infection from eating or cooking pork.
Drinking water treated by standard disinfection processes is not a
threat for spread of H1N1 infection. There have so far been no
documented human cases of influenza transmitted by drinking water.
There have never been cases of humans contracting flu viruses through
water found in swimming pools, water parks, or other community water
sources.
There have been cases of domesticated animals contracting H1N1
infection. Ferrets have been infected, and there has been one case of a
domestic cat having the H1N1 virus. The cat is suspected of having
contracted the virus from its human companion. Therefore, it would be
prudent for pet owners with H1N1 infection to take reasonable
precautions around their pets. There has been no evidence whatever that
H1N1 can be transmitted from domestic pets to humans.
The symptoms of the H1N1 infection are fatigue, chills, fever, sore
throat, cough, body aches, stuffy or runny nose, and headache. Some
people have reported vomiting and diarrhea. Some people may be infected
with H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms, but no fever. But there have
also been people who have become severely ill and died from H1N1
infection. In other words, H1N1 causes everything from mild illness
that responds well to several days of bed rest to severe illness that
can cause death.
Around 70% of those who have been hospitalized with the H1N1 infection
have been people with at least one medical condition recognized as
putting people at high risk for serious flu complications. These
medical conditions are pregnancy, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and
kidney disease.
Young children are at high risk of complications from H1N1 infection,
as they are from seasonal flu. People over the age of 65 are actually
least likely to contract H1N1 infection, but they are at high risk for
complications if they do catch it. Studies done by the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control have shown that very few adults under age 60, and no
children have existing antibodies to the H1N1 virus. Approximately one
third of adults over 60 may have some antibodies against it, but this
is uncertain.
To protect yourself against H1N1 infection (and regular seasonal flu),
take the following steps.
- Cover your nose and mouth with tissue if you cough or
sneeze. and dispose of the tissue afterwards.
- Wash your hands often with regular soap and water.
- Use alcohol-based hand rub when soap and water aren't
available.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Follow public health announcements about avoiding crowds
and other public safety steps.
If you become ill, do not go to school or work until at least 24 hours
after your fever breaks. It is important to rest and stay away from
other people as much as possible. You may not have much of an appetite,
and it's OK to stick with simple foods that are palatable. However, it
is crucial that you take in enough fluids that you don't become
dehydrated. While simple measures like rest and avoiding dehydration
are enough to get otherwise healthy people over H1N1 infection, there
are drugs available to treat it with. Most physicians are reserving the
anti-viral drugs that treat flu for those sick enough to be
hospitalized, but your physician will judge your case individually to
determine if anti-viral drugs are necessary.
Children with the following symptoms need immediate medical attention:
fast breathing or trouble breathing, a bluish tint to their skin,
symptoms of dehydration, not waking or interacting, being too irritable
to want to be held, a rash plus fever, or flu symptoms that improve,
but return with a fever and a worse cough.
Adults with the following symptoms need immediate medical attention:
confusion, sudden dizziness, severe or persistent vomiting, pressure or
pain in the abdomen or chest, difficulty breathing or shortness of
breath.
While there is an H1N1 vaccine against the H1N1 infection, the CDC has
recommended that certain groups get the H1N1 vaccine before it is
distributed to the population at large. The following groups are
recommended to get the H1N1 vaccine first:
- Pregnant women.
- People who live with or take care of children under age 6
months.
- Health care personnel.
- Emergency medical personnel with direct patient contact.
- Children ages 6 months through 4 years.
- Children with medical conditions putting them at risk for
complications.
Beyond that, supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are evaluated and distributed
on a local level, so the best way to find out if the H1N1 vaccine is
available for people not in high risk groups is by calling your
doctor's office or local public health center.
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