Did You Know?
|
Updated: 11/06/09
Guidance
The information and recommendations posted on this page are compiled from multiple sources and is intended to provide the best information available at the time. This page is updated as new information becomes available.
What is H1N1 (Swine Flu)?
H1N1, also known as Swine Flu, is a type A influenza virus that causes respiratory illness in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.
How does H1N1 (Swine Flu) spread?
People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections do occur.
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from live pigs to people and from people to pigs but not from eating pork or pork products. Human infections with the flu virus from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs such as in pig barns (1).
The H1N1 influenza virus currently causing human illness is contagious and spreads from person to person in the same manner that seasonal flu spreads. The virus can be spread when a person infected with the influenza virus coughs or sneezes (1). Remember - a single sneeze can produce more than 40,000 droplets of moisture and millions of germs (2).
People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose before washing their hands.
What about pork and pork products?
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get H1N1 flu 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°F kills the virus as it does other bacteria and viruses (1).
What are the symptoms and should I seek medical care?
Symptoms:
The symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
Additional symptoms that have been reported include:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Náusea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
When to seek medical care
If you have flu 
symptoms and are at risk for complications, you should contact your health care provider to discuss your symptoms.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, you should seek urgent medical attention.
Signs in children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Shows symptoms of dehydration
- 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
Signs in adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Should I get vaccinated?
The CDC has recommended that individuals get vaccinated for the seasonal flu which is an important tool toward preventing influenza. The seasonal flu vaccine however is unlikely to 
protect you from H1N1 (swine flu). Therefore individuals should be vaccinated for the seasonal flu and for the H1N1 flu once it becomes available.
Certain at-risk groups should receive the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available:
- Pregnant women.
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age.
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.
- People between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age.
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
For additional information about H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations please go to:
- Where to Find the H1N1 Vaccine in Your Community (DOH)
- WA DOH H1N1 Vaccination FAQ's
- CDC H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations
- WA DOH H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine Supply and Distribution
- WA DOH Seasonal Flu Information
- Find a Flu Clinic (for seasonal flu only)
Limit the spread of germs and prevent infection
Precautions and prevention tips:
Everyone should take precautions to avoid getting the flu or spreading it to others. Simple steps will minimize your risk:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue away after you use it.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you do not have a tissue.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- When you do not have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer such as Purell
. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect hard surfaces in common areas including doorknobs, telephone handsets, etc. This is important since the influenza virus can survive on surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
- *If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Remain at home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications (CDC). For more information see the CDC H1N1 Exclusions Recommendation página.
Listen to the H1N1 audio Public Service Announcement |
H1N1 (Swine Flu) |
Watch the Germ Trail video by DOH |
|
Descargue Microsoft Media Player
|
|
|
What items should I have on hand in case of an extended stay at home?
Be prepared:
Preparedness is the key to comfort and convenience during a disaster, or extended event, such as a pandemic flu. To minimize the inconvenience and discomfort an event or disaster causes, prepare your emergency supplies beforehand and plan for alternate ways to take care of your needs.
Equipo de emergencias para 72 horas
|
|
Additional supplies to have on hand:
To increase the comfort of someone that is sick from the H1N1 virus, consider having the following supplies available:
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- DO NOT use aspirin in children or teenagers with influenza because it can cause Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening disease.
- Cough syrup and an extra supply of tissues.
- Plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration such as soups (chicken noodle soup, etc.), broth, water, sports drinks.
- Supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Emergency Management Division:
- Workplace Resources and Questions (Pandemicflu.gov/DOH/OSHA/CDC):
- Where to Find the H1N1 Vaccine in Your Community (DOH)
- Guidance for Community and Faith-Based Organizations (Flu.gov)
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers - Influenza (CDC)
- Communication ToolKit for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
- Human Resource Policies and Pandemic Planning
- Social Distancing and the Workplace
- Private Sector Workplace Issues (Quarantine, Children, Community)
- Workplace Safety and Health Issues
- EEO and Privacy Issues
- Workplace Benefits
- Pandemic Planning resources including:
- Checklists
- Community Guidance
- Critical Infrastructure Guidance
- Employer and Employee Guidance
- Pandemic Flu Guide for Critical Infrastructure
- Travel Industry Pandemic Influenza Planning Resources
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Pandemic (OSHA)
- WA DOH H1N1 Vaccination FAQ's
- CDC H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations
- Guidance for Travelers and Public Events:
- Recursos adicionales:
- Where to Find the H1N1 Vaccine in Your Community (DOH)
- Washington State Local Health Departments/Districts (DOH)
- Washington State Department of Health - H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information
- Center for Disease Control - Swine Flu (H1N1) Information
- US Department of Agriculture - Newsroom
- US Department of Health and Human Services
- US Food and Drug Administration - H1N1 Flu Virus
- US Department of Labor - Guidance of Preparing Workplaces
- US Office of Personnel Management - Pandemic Information
- World Health Organization - H1N1: Special Highlights
- Guidance for Public Gatherings (CDC)
- Washington State School Closure List - OSPI
- Preparing Schools for Swine Flu (H1N1) - OSPI
- Emergency Procedures:
- Pandemic Flu Model Plan - Planning Tool for Schools (Word)
- Evacuación (Word)
- Refugio en el lugar (Word)
- Local Health Jurisdiction Contact List (Word)
- Where to Find the H1N1 Vaccine in Your Community (DOH)
- H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations (CDC)
- Guidance for State & Local Health Officials & School Administrators for School Responses to Flu during 2009-2010 School Year (K-12)
- Preparing for Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (K-12)
- Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education and Post-secondary Educational Institutions
- H1N1 Flu and U.S. Schools FAQ's - U.S. Department of Education
- Additional Flu Resources for School Leaders - U.S. Department of Education
- Emergency Planning for Students with Special Needs
- EMD School Basic Emergency Plan Web site
Recursos adicionales:
- Washington State Department of Health - H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information
- Center for Disease Control - H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information
- World Health Organization - H1N1: Special Highlights
News/Information Updates and Links
Noticias:
- Where to Find the H1N1 Vaccine in Your Community (DOH)
- H1N1 Newsroom (DOH)
- H1N1 Vaccine Ordered by State (DOH)
- 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (CDC)
- DOH Telephone Hotline (English and Spanish): 1.888.703.4364
Links:
- WA State Local Health Departments/Districts (DOH)
- WA Department of Health H1N1 information page
- WA Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- WA Department of Agriculture - H1N1 information page
- Centers for Disease Control - H1N1 information page
- World Health Organization (WHO)
References:
(1) Center for Disease Control
(2) Telegraph.co.uk - Sneezing into Your Sleeve
(3) Washington State Department of Health
(4) PandemicFlu.gov
WA Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Flu Facts.com
 |
|