Last spring we heard some pretty frightening reports about the virus H1N1 also known as Swine flu. This virus which has little to do with the virus found in pigs, first appeared in April of 2009. In June the World Health Organization declared that the spread of the virus had become a pandemic. A lot of people may not have known the meaning of the word "pandemic" and thought that it meant it was spreading fast to a large number of people. Actually "pandemic" means that the virus has spread over a large geographic area. In other words, people have been found to have the virus all over the world. Last spring there were many deaths, particularly in Mexico but there have also been deaths throughout the US and in the Bay Area. Over the summer we have not seen or heard much news about the flu probably because the spread of flu is uncommon during the summer months. The "flu season" usually begins in October and lasts throughout the winter months.There is a great deal of concern that the H1N1 could be a major problem this flu season. In this newsletter I will give you some basic information about the H1N1 virus and discuss ways you can guard against getting and/or spreading the flu.

How  is the flu spread? It spreads the same way that seasonal flu is spread by person to person contact. The most common way it is spread is through sneezing and coughing. Touching a surface or an object (ex. nasal tissue) that has secretions on it then touching your mouth or nose is another way to become infected.
What are the signs and symptoms of the flu? Again, it is much the same as seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Who is most at risk for getting the virus? This is one of the most unique characteristics about H1N1; it appears to cause the most severe illness in people under the age of 25. However, pregnant women and people with underlying conditions like asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune system, heart disease, etc. are also at risk for complications from the virus.

 

What should you do if you become ill? STAY HOME!! Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without medications. People are infectious from the day before symptoms appear for at least 7 days. Protect others by keeping your hands clean, throwing your tissues away appropriately and not contaminating objects other people use (what about that remote control?). Be sure to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. See the March 2007 WHH Newsletter on Preventing Colds in the archive. It has more information about common cold remedies and what really works.
 
Where can you get more information? The CDC has lots of detailed information on their website. Contact your local department of public health for information about the H1N1 virus and vaccine in your area. Here is the website for the San Francisco Department of Public Health.