What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease, usually seen in pigs, caused by the influenza virus H1N1. Humans do not normally get H1N1, but people who come into close contact with pigs can get infected.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 in people?
Symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 as well. In the past, like seasonal flu, severe illness (for example, pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 infection in people. Also like seasonal flu, H1N1 may cause existing chronic medical conditions to become worse.
Is H1N1 contagious?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that the current H1N1 outbreak is contagious - possible to spread from human to human. However, at this point the CDC does not know how easily the virus spreads. People with H1N1 should be considered potentially contagious as long as they show symptoms and possibly up to 7 days following the start of the illness. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.
What is being done about the H1N1?
The White House, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are monitoring the situation and working with local, state, and public health agencies to gather information. Public health officials have increased surveillance both within the United States and in Mexico. People have been asked to contact both their public health office and their doctors if they believe they have been exposed to H1N1. The CDC is posting the latest information about the outbreak in the US and Mexico on its website
www.cdc.gov/flu/swine.
Is it safe to travel?
At this time, there are no travel restrictions in place for any country. Please continue to monitor the situation for any travel advisories that may be posted on the CDC website.
How can I protect myself against H1N1?
There are some simple steps that people can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause diseases, including H1N1.
- 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. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based or anti-bacterial hand cleaners also work.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Is there a vaccine that protects against H1N1?
No, there is currently not a vaccine that protects against the H1N1 strain associated with the current outbreak.
Can I get H1N1 by eating pork or pork products?
There is nothing to show that H1N1 can be passed through food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork, and pork products, is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160° F kills bacteria and viruses.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you get sick with the flu or a flu-like illness, it is recommended that you:
- Call your doctor or health care provider
- Stay home from work or school
- Stay away from others to avoid infecting them
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as germs spread this way
How serious is a H1N1 infection?
Like seasonal flu, H1N1 in humans can vary from a mild case to a severe case. Between 2005 and January 2009, 12 human cases of H1N1 were detected in the US with no deaths reported. However, H1N1 infection can be serious. In 1976 Fort Dix, New Jersey experienced an outbreak of more than 200 cases. Several people were seriously ill, and one died. In September 1988, a previously healthy, pregnant 32-year-old woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after contracting H1N1. She died 8 days later. It is too soon for anyone to know how serious the current outbreak will be. Please continue to monitor the situation at
www.cdc.gov/flu/swine. You may also follow developments on the DHHS website at
www.dhhs.gov.
Is there a medication I can take if I get H1N1? Recommendations for use of antiviral medications may change as more data on how susceptible this strain of H1N1 is to the drugs becomes available. Antiviral treatment should be considered for people with confirmed, probable, or suspected cases of H1N1. Treatment with antiviral medications should be started as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms because the evidence for benefits is strongest when treatment is started within 48 hours of onset.
However, some studies have shown benefit, including reduced deaths or shorter hospitalization, even for patients whose treatment started more than 48 hours after onset. The recommended length of treatment is five days. Follow your doctor's instructions for treatment exactly based on the age of the infected person. Treatment of hospitalized patients and patients at higher risk for flu complications should be a top priority.
What if I don't have H1N1, but I think I may be or have been exposed to H1N1?
Antiviral medication is recommended for prevention of H1N1 if there is a potential for exposure to H1N1, or if you were exposed within the last 10 days, if you are:
- A person with high-risks for flu complications living in a household in close contact with a confirmed, probable, or suspected case
- A school-age child with high risks for flu complications who had close, face-to-face, contact with a confirmed, probable, or suspected case
- A traveler to Mexico with high-risks for flu complications
- A health care worker or public health worker who was not using appropriate personal protective equipment during close contact with a confirmed, probable, or suspect case of H1N1 during the case's infectious period
Antiviral medication should be considered for prevention of H1N1 if there is a potential for exposure to H1N1 and you are:
- A health care worker with high-risks for flu complications who is working in an area of the health care facility that contains patients with confirmed H1N1, or who is caring for patients with any acute respiratory illness
- A non-high risk person who is traveling to Mexico, a first-responder, or a border worker who is working in areas with confirmed cases of H1N1
People with high-risks of flu complications include:
- People with certain chronic medical conditions
- People 65 or older
- Children younger than 5
- Pregnant women
Does Coventry cover antiviral medications?
Coventry has arranged to cover both Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) in accordance with the current CDC recommendations for H1N1 for members who have pharmacy benefits through Coventry. Members should check their Prescription Drug List for information about what tier the medications are on. If you have questions, you can call the Pharmacy Help Desk number on the back of your ID card.
Should I ask my doctor for a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza to keep on hand just in case?
No. Purchasing and having "on hand" medications takes drugs out of the pharmacy and makes them less available to flu patients who actually need it. Also, inappropriate use of the drugs, for things like a runny nose, can lead to the development of viruses that are resistant to them making the few medications available to treat serious flu cases less effective. Your best course of care is to seek medical attention if you become ill. If there is a need for an antiviral flu medication, your doctor should be the one to advise you and prescribe it. Your doctor is the best person to stay up-to-date on the types of diseases going around and give you the appropriate advice.
