What is novel H1N1 flu (swine flu)?
Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009, and other countries have reported people sick with this virus as well. It is spreading from person-to-person, probably in the same ways that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of H1N1 a pandemic.
Why is the H1N1 virus sometimes called "swine flu?"
Early laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian (bird) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
How doesH1N1spread?
Like other influenza viruses, the H1N1 flu is typically spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air that others breathe. The virus can survive on shared surfaces, such as exercise equipment and keyboards, and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
How can I protect my health and help keep the virus from spreading?
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Clean shared surfaces like exercise equipment, keyboards, desks and telephones with household cleaner before and after use.
Get a seasonal flu shot. Even though the seasonal flu shot will not protect you from H1N1, it will protect you from seasonal flu strains.
Check your temperature if you feel ill.
If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home until your fever is gone for 24 hours except to get medical care or for other necessities. Stay home until your fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. This means avoiding activities including work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings.
If you are sick with the flu and must go out in public, you should wear a surgical mask. Masks are available at Student Health Services.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include:
fever (100ºF/37.8ºC or higher)
cough
sore throat
headache
runny or stuffy nose
body aches
chills
fatigue
Many infected people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. However, like seasonal flu, there have been cases of severe illness and in extreme circumstances death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
What should I do if I think I have H1N1 flu? Students who develop a fever of 100ºF/37.8ºC or higher and flu-like symptoms should contact Student Health Services by phone (412-268-8220) as soon as possible after the onset of fever. If you do not have a thermometer, Temp-a-dots are available at Student Health Services, the University Center Information Desk and desk attendants in residence halls.
Faculty and staff who have a fever and flu-like symptoms should contact their health care provider and stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication), except to get medical care or other necessities. Student Health Services would like to know of any community member who is diagnosed with influenza, and we are ready to help any member of the campus community who has any questions or concerns.
How is H1N1 diagnosed? A swab of the nose and throat is taken, placed in viral transport solution and sent to the laboratory for testing. It is best to take collection of the specimen within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most contagious). However, some persons, especially children, may be contagious for 10 days or longer.
Are there medicines to treat the H1N1 infection?
Oseltamivir (Tami flu) or zanamivir (Relenza) are effective for the treatment and/or prevention of the H1N1 flu virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that keep flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent flu complications. During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat those who are severely ill (for example, hospitalized patients) and people who are sick and have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications. Student Health Services is following the treatment guidelines issued by the CDC.
Is there a vaccine available to protect against H1N1? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against the H1N1 virus. However, a novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. As always, Student Health Services will offer the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ for up-to-date information on H1N1, including recommendations for prevention and treatment.
