Flu Pandemic Education

Swine Flu Information
Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine Flu Treatment
How to Reduce Your Risk to Swine Flu
FDA Approved Masks
Flu Information & Education Links

SWINE FLU INFORMATION

What is HIN1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu)? www.fda.gov and www.cdc.gov
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person.

2009 H1N1 (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 contagious and is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, 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.

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.

SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of Swine Flu?
In people, symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu. These include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

SWINE FLUE TREATMENT

What are the plans for developing 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine?

• The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is now available.
  
• The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu).
  
• 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.
  
• The 1976 swine flu virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus are different enough that it’s 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.

What if you or someone in your household gets infected? www.cdc.gov

• Check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema.
  
• Check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications.
  
• Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible). Keep the sickroom door closed.
  
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
  
• Get plenty of rest.
  
• Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
  
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.
  
• If you are the caregiver wearing a facemask or respirator and protective eye wear when in contact with the infected person is recommended. If you are in a high risk group for complications from influenza, you should attempt to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with household members who are sick with influenza. For more information, see the recommendations for facemask and respirator use section.

Additional information on caring for children www.cdc.gov

• WARNING! Do NOT give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
  
• Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter cold and flu medications to see if they contain aspirin.
  
• Children 5 years of age and older and teenagers with the flu can take medicines WITHOUT aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®), to relieve symptoms.
  
• Children younger than 4 years of age should NOT be given over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a health care provider.
  
• The safest care for flu symptoms in children younger than 2 years of age is using a cool-mist humidifier and a suction bulb to help clear away mucus.
  
• Fevers and aches can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

What are signs of an emergency? www.cdc.gov

• Be watchful for emergency warning signs that might indicate you need to seek medical attention immediately.
  
• has difficulty breathing or chest pain.
  
• has purple or blue discoloration of the lips.
  
• is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down.
  
• has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry.
  
• has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions).
  
• is less responsive than normal or becomes confused.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? www.cdc.gov
Ask your health care provider is you should get the 2009 H1N1 virus vaccine.  The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently ready for the public. As always, a regular flu vaccine is also available to protect against seasonal influenza.
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Prevention checklist:

• 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
  
• 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.

Respirators and Facemasks www.cdc.gov

Facemasks:  They are not designed or recommended to protect against breathing in very small particle aerosols that may contain viruses. Facemasks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash. Facemasks cleared by the FDA for use as medical devices have been determined to have specific levels of protection from penetration of blood and body fluids. Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the facemask.

Respirators: Unless otherwise specified, "respirator" refers to an N95 or higher filtering face piece respirator certified by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). A respirator is designed to protect the person wearing the respirator against breathing in very small particle aerosols that may contain viruses and are recommended for optimal effectiveness. Compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through a respirator for long periods of time.

Why and when Respirator and Facemask are recommended?

• If you must have close contact with the sick person (for example, hold a sick infant), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and try to wear a facemask (for example, surgical mask) or N95 disposable respirator.
  
• An N95 respirator that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through an N95 mask for long periods of time.
  
• Wear an N95 respirator if you help a sick person with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer or inhaler, as directed by their doctor. Respiratory treatments should be performed in a separate room away from common areas of the house when at all possible.
  
• Used facemasks and N95 respirators should be taken off and placed immediately in the regular trash so they don’t touch anything else.
  
• Avoid re-using disposable facemasks and N95 respirators, if possible. If a reusable fabric facemask is used, it should be laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer.
  
• After you take off a facemask or N95 respirator, clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Respirators and Facemasks

FDA has approved four models of respirators for use by the general public.

• 3M Respirator Models 8612F and 8670F
  
• Pasture Pharma Respirator Models F550G and A520G

FDA has authorized emergency use of these respirators by the general public during the current N1H1 (Swine flu) emergency to help reduce exposure to airborne germs.

• 3M Respirator Models: 8210, 8000, 9210, 1860, 1870, 2200
  
• Moldex Respirator Models: 2212, 2201, 3000
  
• Moldex-Metrics Respirator Models: 3002, 3003
  
• Gerson: 1730
  
• Kimberly-Clark: PFR95-170, PFR95-174
  

WARNING: Please read instructions that come with your mask. Respirators help protect against certain particulate contaminants but they do not eliminate exposure or the risk of contracting any disease or infection. Misuse may result in sickness or death.

Flu Information & Education Links

Centers for Disease Control: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm150305.htm
Flu.gov: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en/