H1N1 INFLUENZA: Frequently Asked Questions

LATEST H1N1 INFLUENZA NEWS
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WHAT IS H1N1 INFLUENZA?
H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.

H1N1 influenza cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs.

H1N1 influenza may circulate among swine throughout the year but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.

The classical H1N1 influenza was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

ON THE WEB: Additional information is available on these local, state and national Web sites: http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov, http://www.columbuspandemicflu.com http://www.ohiopandemicflu.gov, http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ and http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm, http://www.columbuspandemicflu.com/pdfs/individuals%20checklist.pdf.

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WARNING SIGNS
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- 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
- Fever with a rash

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

H1N1 INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this H1N1 influenza closely resemble seasonal flu and include high fever, weakness, coughing and lack of appetite.

Some people with H1N1 influenza also report runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

IS IT CONTAGIOUS?
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention has determined the virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. It is not known, however, how easily the virus spreads between people.

This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus.

People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

HOW CAN SOMEONE WITH THE FLU INFECT SOMEONE ELSE?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and as many as 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.

CAN PEOPLE CATCH H1N1 INFLUENZA FROM EATING PORK?
No, according to Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. H1N1 influenza is not transmitted by food.

You can not get H1N1 influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F kills the virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

“The H1N1 influenza is not transmitted through meat consumption. Consumers should follow proper handling and cooking tips such as avoiding cross contamination with other products and cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F," Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert Boggs said.

H1N1 INFLUENZA VACCINE
What are the plans for developing 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC has isolated the new H1N1 virus and modified the virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now using these materials to begin vaccine production. Making vaccine is a multi-step process which takes several months to complete. Candidate vaccines will be tested in clinical trials over the few months.

When is it expected that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available?

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu?

The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.

Can the seasonal vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?

Inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine can be administered at the same visit as any other vaccine, including pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Live 2009 H1N1 vaccine can be administered at the same visit as any other live or inactivated vaccine EXCEPT seasonal live attenuated influenza vaccine.

Who will be recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups 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 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

We do not expect that there will be a shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable. There is some possibility that initially the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. In this setting, the committee recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.

The committee recognized the need to assess supply and demand issues at the local level. The committee further recommended that once the demand for vaccine for these target groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.

Should I get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 if I have had flu-like illness since the Spring of 2009?

The symptoms of influenza (flu-like illnesses) are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses. Specific testing, called “RT-PCR test,” is needed in order to tell if an illness is caused by a specific influenza strain or by some other virus. This test is different from rapid flu tests that doctors can do in their offices. Since most people with flu-like illnesses will not be tested with RT-PCR this season, the majority will not know whether they have been infected with 2009 H1N1 flu or a different virus.

Therefore, if you were ill but do not know if you had 2009 H1N1 infection, you should get vaccinated, if your doctor recommends it. So, most people recommended for 2009 H1N1 vaccination should be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine regardless of whether they had a flu-like illness earlier in the year. If you have had 2009 H1N1 flu, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should have some immunity against 2009 H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful.

Any immunity from 2009 H1N1 influenza infection or vaccination will not provide protection against seasonal influenza. All people who want protection from seasonal flu should still get their seasonal influenza vaccine.

Do those that have been previously vaccinated against the 1976 swine influenza need to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza?

The 1976 swine flu virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus are different enough that its unlikely a person vaccinated in 1976 will have full protection from the 2009 H1N1. People vaccinated in 1976 should still be given the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.
Where will the vaccine be available?

Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. Vaccine will be available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces. For more information, see State/Jurisdiction Contact Information for Health Care Providers Interested in Providing H1N1 Vaccine.

Will this vaccine be made differently than the seasonal influenza vaccine?

No. This vaccine will be made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.

What about the use of antivirals to treat 2009 H1N1 infection?

CDC has issued interim guidance for the use of antiviral drugs for this season. CDC also has published Questions & Answers related to the use of antiviral drugs for this season.
Will two doses of vaccine be required?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older. This is slightly different from CDC’s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination which states that children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

What will be the recommended interval between the first and second dose for children 9 years of age and under?

CDC recommends that the two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine be separated by 4 weeks. However, if the second dose is separated from the first dose by at least 21 days, the second dose can be considered valid.

PROTECT YOURSELF
- Stay informed.

- Cover your cough by using the sleeve of your garment. You also may 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, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

- Give your children easy-to-use alcohol-based anti-bacterial wipes, such as Purell wipes, or soap.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

- Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.

- If you become sick, it's recommended you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.

- Health officials said surgical masks offer minimal protection. The virus can pass through a mask.

- Lab tests show the new strain of H1N1 influenza can be treated with anti-flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

- The federal government started shipping out the first supplies of Tamiflu from the federal stockpile.

- All states were due to get their share by Sunday, May 3.

TRAVEL HEALTH WARNING
The CDC recommended U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. Changes to this recommendation will be posted at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/.

During your visit to an area affected by H1N1 influenza, monitor the local situation by paying attention to announcements from the local government and follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of H1N1 influenza. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.

HOME CARE GUIDELINES
Columbus Public Health and the Franklin County Board of Health recommended following the Red Cross guidelines on how to care for someone who is ill with influenza.

These guidelines also instruct the caregiver on how to protect themselves and others. This information is available in English, Spanish and Somali at http://www.ColumbusPandemicFlu.com.

FARMERS & FLU
Ohio swine farmers were advised to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of influenza in their herds.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture said Ohio swine producers should implement strict biosecurity measures on their farms to protect the industry as well as industry workers. At this point in time, restricting visitor access to swine facilities is extremely important.

To date, no pigs have been found to be infected or sick with this virus in the United States.

ODH's H1N1 INFLUENZA INFO HOTLINE
The Ohio Department of Health established a toll-free information line for Ohioans with questions about H1N1 influenza.

The information line at 866-800-1404 is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ODH will reassess hours of operation as the situation warrants.

FRANKLIN COUNTY H1N1 INFLUENZA HOTLINE
The Columbus and Franklin County health departments are strongly encouraging the general public to call 211. The hotline will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cell-phone users should call 614-221-2255 instead.

LICKING COUNTY H1N1 INFORMATION
Visit http://www.lickingcohealth.org for more information and updates.

REAL-TIME INFECTION MAP

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