H1N1 Influenza Preparation

FAQs about Novel H1N1 Flu

1. What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?
   Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
   
   
2. Why is novel H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?
   This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs. But further study has shown that this virus contains genes from flu viruses in pigs, birds and humans.
   
   
3. How does novel H1N1 virus spread?
   Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people infected with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something—such as a surface or object—with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouths or noses.
   
   
4. What are the signs and symptoms of this virus?
   The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
   
   
5. How does novel H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates?
   Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness. In the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications. Over 90% of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalization occur in people older than 65. Emerging research shows that the novel H1N1 flu has caused more illness people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications novel H1N1.
   
   
6. How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
   People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu shed may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.
   
   
7. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
   1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash.
      
   2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
      
   3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and avoid close contact (less than 6 feet) with sick people. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours 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 to keep from making others sick.
      
   4. Get the Seasonal Flu Vaccine as early as possible this season although this vaccine is not expected to protect you from H1N1, only seasonal flu.
      
      
8. Will I be able to receive the Novel H1N1 Vaccine be available?
   The Novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be ready by Fall 2009. There are certain groups who will be able to receive the vaccine when it first becomes available. These key populations include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
   
   
9. What are supplies I might need if I get sick?
   Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
   
   
10. If I have a family member at home who is sick with novel H1N1 flu, should I go to work?
    At this time, employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with novel H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
    
    
11. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
    Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands—with soap and warm water—that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.
    
    
12. What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
    Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and drop to a surface because they are heavier than air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface, and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands.
    
    
13. How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
    Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
    
    
14. How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
    To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
    
    
15. What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
    To prevent the spread of flu, it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen, and things people touch often such as door handles and telephones) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label. There is no need to wipe down walls or ceilings.
    
    
16. How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?
    Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry. Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.
    

The above facts were compiled from information provided by the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/h1n1.

Rowan University - 201 Mullica Hill Road - Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 • 856-256-4000
Contact webmaster@rowan.edu with questions, problems or comments. ©2009 Rowan University