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Should I get vaccinated for the flu?
Anyone who does not want to become ill with influenza should consider getting vaccinated. This is especially important for certain subgroups such as pregnant women, those with obesity, chronic lung diseases such as asthma, and other disease or taking medications which suppress the immune system.
If I think I already had H1N1 flu should I still get vaccinated?
Since both seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses have been circulating this fall, you can only be certain that you had H1N1 if a nasal swab was sent to a reference lab for PCR testing and it was reported as “Positive for novel H1N1 (Swine Flu) Influenza Virus.” That test takes about 7-8 days or longer before the results are reported. If you had that test performed (UHC has only sent 33 PCR tests for verification) and you were positive for H1N1, then you don’t need the H1N1 vaccine, but you should still consider taking the seasonal vaccine.
Rapid tests done in emergency rooms, doctor’s offices and the University Health Center only determine if influenza is present. The tests only pick up 65% or so of influenza infections. Those tests do not reliably differentiate between H1N1 and seasonal influenza.
Is the vaccine for H1N1 safe?
The vaccine is being produced using the same methods and technology as the seasonal vaccine, so it should have a very similar safety profile. Vaccine side effects will be closely monitored as are all vaccines using the VAERS system, so any unusual side effects should be reported promptly. Certain people should not take the vaccine for safety reasons. Anyone with Hypersensitivity to eggs or chicken protein, neomycin, or polymyxin, or life-threatening reaction to previous influenza vaccination should not take the vaccine. If Guillain-Barre´ Syndrome (GBS) has occurred within 6 weeks of previous influenza vaccination, the decision to give Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.
What is the best way to prevent flu?
The best way to prevent the flu is to be immune to the viruses. The preferred way to do that is to get both flu shots.
Avoiding exposure to the flu is helpful but in the current environment is very difficult. Ways to avoid contracting the disease include: wash your hands or use hand gels containing at least 60% alcohol; do not touch your face, eyes, mouth unless your hands are clean; do not come within 6 feet of an infected person or handle anything they have been in contact with without wearing protective gloves and wearing an N95 respirator mask (not a surgical mask).
Sick people can help by not spreading the virus. Do not go out unless medically necessary and then wear a surgical mask. Sneeze or cough into the mask or a tissue, then discard the tissue in the trash. Remain isolated from others ideally for 7-8 days after becoming symptomatic. Use proper cough and sneezing etiquette.
What kills influenza virus on household objects?
Common household disinfectants when so marked typically kill bacteria and many viruses. Recommended products include Lysol disinfectants, though others are available. Room deodorizers such as Fabreze DO NOT disinfect or kill viruses, but they certainly can make things smell better.
What is influenza?
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious disease that is caused by one of many influenza viruses. It primarily attacks the respiratory tract in humans (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms: fever, headache, tiredness (can be extreme), dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, insomnia. Novel H1N1 virus also tends to cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms."
Can anyone get the flu?
Anyone can get the flu, but the disease is more severe for some people. Most people who get the flu will recover in 1 to 2 weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu. Millions of people in the United States - about 10% to 20% of U.S. residents - will get the seasonal flu each year. During 2009-2011, many more people will get the novel H1N1 flu, especially people below age 25 years possibly infecting up to 80% of this population. An average of about 36,000 people per year in the United States die from the flu, and 114,000 per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influenza. Serious problems from flu can happen at any age. People > 65 years old, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, and very young children are more likely to get complications from seasonal flu. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.
How is the influenza virus passed around?
The flu is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu. Flu maybe spread when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it - a door handle, for instance - and then touches his or her nose, eyes or mouth. The Flu Is Contagious. A person can spread the flu starting one day before they feel sick. Adults can continue to pass the flu virus to others for another 7-8 days after symptoms start. Children can pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1-4 days after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.
How do you know if you have the flu?
Your respiratory illness might be the flu if you have sudden onset of body aches, fever, and respiratory symptoms, and your illness occurs during November through April (the usual flu season in the Northern Hemisphere). If you have these symptoms during the H1N1 pandemic time, it is much more likely that you have influenza than other virus infections. However, during this time, other respiratory illnesses can cause similar symptoms and flu can be caught at any time of the year. It is impossible to tell for sure if you have the flu based on symptoms alone. Doctors can perform tests to see if you have the flu if you are in the first few days of your illness, but these test are not highly sensitive have many limitiations.
What should you do if you get the flu?
- Self-isolate and only go near others or in public if you must for medical reasons. Then you should use cough etiquette and wear a surgical mask.
- If you live in a resident hall on campus we ask that you go to your permanent home if possible until you have recovered and have not had fever for at least 24 hours without taking medications know to lower your temperature.
- Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
- Rest.
A virus causes influenza, so antibiotics (like penicillin) don't work to cure it. Antiviral medications have been shown to decrease the severity of the illness and duration of symptoms by 1 - 1 1/2 days. These medications are primarily used for people at high risk for complications of influenza. High risk people are are those who are pregnant, the very young, or have chronic diseases such as asthma or are over age 65.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get an influenza vaccine
(flu shot) each fall, before flu season. Never give aspirin to children
or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms - and particularly fever - without
first speaking to your doctor. Giving aspirin to children and teenagers
who have influenza can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
Children or teenagers with the flu should get plenty of rest, drink lots
of liquids, and take medicines that contain no aspirin to relieve symptoms.
Who should seek medical attention? What are the risk groups?
Most people with the flu (the new H1N1 flu, as well as seasonal flu) can manage recovery at home with little or no medical attention. However, some people are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications.
Individuals in the following risk groups should consult with their health care providers with the onset of flu-like symptoms, or following recent close contact with someone who has the flu:
- people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, including:
• asthma
• diabetes
• immune-suppression
• heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
- pregnant women
- adults 65 years and older
- children younger than five years old
When should you seek medical attention?
People who have the flu and develop any of the following symptoms should call a health care provider without delay for medical advice or attention.
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- sudden dizziness
- confusion or change in level of consciousness
- severe or persistent vomiting
- severe sore throat, accompanied by swollen glands in your neck
- flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- unidentified rash
- fever of over 101 degrees lasting for more than three days
What is the myth of the "Stomach Flu"?
Many people use the term "stomach flu" to describe illnesses with
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that are not caused by the flu virus, but
can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. However,
while vomiting, diarrhea, and being "sick to your stomach" can sometimes be related to the flu - particularly in children and with H1N1 infection - these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is a respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.
Helpful Links for Additional Information
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
CDC Guide to Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home
Watch CDC video/podcast about H1N1 (swine flu)
Coping With Anxiety About H1N1
CDC Guidance for Universities
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