Novel H1N1 influenza is illness caused by a type of influenza (flu) virus. The main difference between H1N1 and a typical “seasonal” flu is that H1N1 is a brand new strain; no one has ever been exposed to it before, so we have little immunity to it (people born before 1957 have some level of
immunity due to having been exposed to similar H1N1 strains that circulated before 1957).
H1N1 appears to affect people mostly the same way as typical flu, but probably far
more people will get sick from H1N1 than in a typical flu season. Like seasonal influenza, H1N1 causes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. As with a typical flu, about 2 - 3% of sick people may need to be hospitalized, and well under 1% die. With seasonal flu, 60% of hospitalizations and 90% of deaths occur among those who are over age 65; whereas, with H1N1, the majority of hospitalizations and 70% of the deaths occur among those under age 50.
H1N1 influenza appears to spread in the same way that flu typically spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person, through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people get infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Influenza is thought to spread
mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of
infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay
healthy.Use common
sense!
Seeking
Medical Care?
People with mild
illness should NOT go to emergency rooms, urgent care or
hospitals for treatment.
Keep Emergency Rooms
and Hospitals free to treat serious illnesses.
Please do not request
antiviral medication for routine illnesses. Providers will
prescribe treatments based on symptoms and possible exposure.
There is still regular seasonal flu in California, and these
antivirals will not be effective with normal flu.
If you have flu-like
symptoms call your health care provider and let them know of any
possible exposure. Wear a mask before you enter your provider’s
office. Your health care provider will make an assessment and
decide if you need a test for Swine Flu. Laboratory testing is
recommended for people with severe flu-like symptoms.
H1N1 influenza is now widespread in our community.
Health care providers are no longer being
asked to report outpatient cases as it is estimated that there are
many more cases than have been tested. Severe (meaning
hospitalized or fatal) cases are still reportable.
Flu
