H1N1 Virus Information

What do I need to know and do? English | Spanish Prevention/Symptoms/Treatment H1N1 Prevention H1N1 Symptoms H1N1 Treatment H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Davidson Campus Nurse Debby Wells Brooks Student Center 213 336.249.8186, ext. 6111 Mon. & Tue., 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

H1N1 influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a new strain of flu virus. In June 2009, H1N1 was declared a pandemic, which means it is everywhere in the world.

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may catch flu by touching something infected with the virus and then touching their mouth or nose. There are several things you can do to prevent catching or spreading H1N1 or seasonal flu (see below). And, if you do get sick with flu, take antiviral medicines if your doctor prescribes them.

H1N1 symptoms are similar to seasonal flu but may also include diarrhea and vomiting:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache
• Diarrhea      
• Vomiting    

Most people recover after about a week without lasting effects.

Seek emergency medical care if you or a family member has any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
• In babies, bluish or gray skin color, lack of responsiveness or extreme irritation

• 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.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• If you get sick with flu, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from making them sick.
• Get the recommended seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes available (early September 2009).
• Get the recommended H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available (a vaccine for H1N1 flu is expected to be available in late fall 2009).

Antiviral drugs may be prescribed by your doctor. These prescription medicines – pills, liquid or an inhaler – fight flu by keeping the flu viruses from reproducing in your body. They can make your illness milder, make you feel better faster and also prevent serious flu complications. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick, usually within two days of developing symptoms.

Reminder: Do not give aspirin or aspirin-containing products to children age 18 and younger who have flu-like symptoms, as aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome.

Information obtained from www.flu.gov