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Featured Article — August 2009

What you need to know about the H1N1 flu virus

Submitted by Carolyn Wells, Co-Chair, Hospital Subcommitee of the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee

Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It was first detected in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person to person worldwide in the same way seasonal flu spreads. Illness with H1N1 has ranged from mild to severe. About 70 percent of the people who have been hospitalized with this novel H1N1 virus had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at high risk of serious complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health

• Cover your mouth and nose 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.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions you can take

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you need to stay home for a week or so; keep a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand cleaner, tissues, etc., on hand.

Know when to seek medical attention

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 are in one of the high risk groups, see your physician about getting an H1N1 flu vaccine when they become available. Do not forget to get your regular seasonal flu vaccine as well. The H1N1 vaccine will not protect you against the other flu viruses.

The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with novel H1N1 flu virus. These antiviral drugs are prescription medications that fight the flu by keeping the flu viruses from reproducing in your body. The antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster.

To keep up with the latest recommendations from the CDC and the local health departments, go to www.preparemetrokc.org . Remember that common sense and good hand-washing will help prevent the spread of the novel H1N1 influenza virus.