H1N1 Flu Safety

Overview

What is H1N1? Signs & Symptoms of the Virus Prevention Tips & Safety Precautions H1N1 Updates Vaccination Updates State Planning & Strategy

What is H1N1?

The H1N1 flu virus is a new strain of virus that was formed when viruses from pigs, birds, and humans combined.

The virus was spread from animal to human contact and then human to human contact.

The virus is spread through respiratory secretions and through droplets when a person sneezes or coughs.

Close contact with an infected person can also cause the spread of the virus.

Signs & Symptoms of the Virus

Fever Chills Coughing Sore Throat Runny Nose

Shortness of Breath Fatigue Head/Body Aches Vomiting/Diarrhea

Prevention Tips & Safety Precautions Cover your cough by sneezing into your arm or tissue

and not your hands. Throw the tissue away and avoid using handkerchiefs.

Wash your hands frequently Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs

spread this way. Carry hand sanitizer Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Get vaccinated (check availability) Eat healthy

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention 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 Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and

worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention 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

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

If you are sick with flu-like symptoms: CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hou

rs after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

Antiviral Medications (Tamiflu & Relenza) May decrease duration and severity of

illness Check availability of antiviral medication

as it varies state-by-state H1N1 has shown some resistance to the

antiviral medication

H1N1 Updates – United States

475+ deaths reported 7,500+ hospitalized Estimated 1 million+ cases Tracking and case counts

Hospitalizations and deaths only Pediatric flu deaths

100+ since 09/0833 were H1N1

H1N1 Updates – United States

H1N1 likely to co-circulate with seasonal virus CDC expects surge of illnesses from H1N1 in fall

& winter H1N1 can cause severe disease and/or death People with underlying health problems

associated with a high risk of flu complications Young people affected disproportionately; few

cases among elderly

H1N1 Updates - International

H1N1 circulating with seasonal viruses Overall severity similar to seasonal flu

Anecdotal evidence for severe illness in younger adults

School closuresMany in Southeast Asia and South AmericaNot a predominant strategy in other areas

Vaccination Updates

H1N1 vaccine production underway Production process similar to seasonal vaccine H1N1 vaccine needed because seasonal flu

vaccine already in production H1N1 vaccine to add new antigen which will be

more effective Plan to produce enough vaccine for everyone Shipping began mid-September 2009

Vaccination Updates

Vaccine preservatives allow manufacturers to package vaccine in multi-dose vials, as opposed to single use syringes

Majority of vaccine will be in multi-dose vials; remainder in single dose syringes or nasal sprayers

Goal is to have enough preservative-free for pregnant women and young children

H1N1 Vaccination is not compatible with Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Separate vaccination needed for Seasonal Flu

State Planning & Strategy

Vaccination Communication Community Mitigation Situational Awareness H1N1 Surveillance

Questions?

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/