2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) 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. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway

Prevention & Treatment

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
This season, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses and a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”).

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
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. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.* * 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 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.

Websites to help you:

• CDC's 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
• CDC's Questions & Answers
• FLU.gov
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Seasonal flu vaccine lessens H1N1 impact
• To vaccinate or not? Some wary on H1N1 choice - CNN.com

Symptoms, which last up to a week, are similar to those of seasonal flu, and can include fever, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, and muscle or joint pains. To avoid spreading the infection, the CDC recommended that those with symptoms stay home from school, work, and crowded settings; in general, wearing facial masks was not recommended, except in healthcare settings. The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, officially referred to as novel H1N1, first identified in April 2009 and commonly called swine flu. The virus is a mixing (reassortment) of four known strains of influenza A virus: one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine).[3] Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, and eating cooked pork products will not transmit the virus.

Important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• 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 * (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious  see more >>>>

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