Post on 15-Dec-2015
Influenza A, H1N1 “Swine Flu”
The Facts and How to Protect Yourself
What is Influenza A, H1N1 Swine Flu?
Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a virus. It regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs
Influenza A, H1N1 swine flu is a new strain of the flu that moved from pigs to humans and can be transmitted from human to human.
Influenza A, H1N1 (swine flu)
Swine flu is different from seasonal flu because:
It is a new strain of the virus Humans do not have an immunity
from it Immunizations received last fall or this
winter do not offer protection against the H1N1 swine flu
How Does It Spread?
Thought to be spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads
Mainly from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes and spreads tiny particles into the air
Sometimes by touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself and Others? Frequently wash your hands with soap and
water for 15-20 seconds
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are OK
Cover your coughs and sneezes by coughing and sneezing into your arm, not your hands. Or, sneeze into a tissue and discard it
Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth
Try to avoid close contact with people who appear sick, and have a fever and cough
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself and Others? Cont.
If you are sick, stay home If your child is ill, keep them home from
school or childcare Practice good health habits: get enough
sleep, eat nutritious food, keep physically active
If you smoke, quit.
What are Signs and Symptoms of the Flu?
Similar to symptoms of regular human flu: Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue
May include diarrhea and vomiting
May cause more serious symptoms in
individuals with chronic medical conditions
Pneumonia, respiratory failure, and deaths
have been reported.
How Long Can an Infected Person Spread it to Others?
People are contagious as long as they have symptoms, and
up to 7 days after they become sick Children, especially infants, may be
contagious for longer periods Viruses can live 2 hours or longer on
surfaces like tables, desks, and doorknobs.
What To Do If You Get Sick
If you have symptoms: Fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat,
nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea
And you would typically see your health care provider, do so.
If you have these symptoms but would not normally see your health care provider, there is no need to do so
Stay home and avoid contact with others as much as possible
What To Do ifYour Child is Sick If your child has these symptoms, seek
immediate medical care: Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish skin color Not drinking enough fluids 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.
What Should Businesses Do?
Review your sick leave policy and urge employees not to come to work when ill
Review plans for continuing business operations, in the event the flu becomes more widespread or severe
Encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently, and to cover their coughs and sneezes.
What is Safe To Do?
If you feel well, you may work, go to school or send you your child to school, go to church, and shop
Eat pork
Travel by bus, train or plane
Travel to Mexico is recommended for essential business only
What More Can I Do To Prepare? Develop a family emergency plan as a
precaution, include:
Storing a supply of food
Medicines
Facemasks
Alcohol-based hand cleaners
Other essential supplies
For an emergency checklist, see
www.pandemicflu.gov
What are Local Public Health Officials doing?
Working with hospitals and health care providers to promptly identify potential cases of swine flu
Assuring that appropriate treatment and prevention measures are used
Developing fact sheets for pharmacies, schools, the general public, and health care providers.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Information Lines:
Inside Clark County: (360) 397-8021
Outside Clark County: (877) 510-2772
Clark County Public Health:
www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/diseases/swinefaq.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/