Swine Flu

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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Questions and Answers

What is H1N1 flu (swine flu)?
H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A 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, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Is this H1N1 flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this H1N1 influenza A virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu in people?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu.

How does H1N1 flu spread?
Spread of this H1N1 influenza A virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Can I get H1N1 influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get H1N1 influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (tamilflu) or zanamivir (relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these H1N1 influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread H1N1 flu to others?
People with H1N1 influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneze into your sleeve.
  • 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 get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where H1N1 influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color (for fair tones) and grayish skin color (for darker tones)
  • 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

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is H1N1 flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.


H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You - CDC

Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) - CDC

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): General Information - CDC



Illinois FLu Hotline for non-medical questions 866-848-2094 English 866-241-2138 Español

www.flu.gov
U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services’
influenza Web site

Illinois H1N1 Flu Case Summary
Counties Confirmed and Probable Cases Deaths
42 3,425 17

Illinois Cases of H1N1 Flu by County
(As of July 31, 2009, 10 a.m.)
Updated
on Fridays
City or
County
# of
Probable Cases
# of
Confirmed Cases
Total
Boone - 10 10
Champaign - 1 1
Chicago 9 1,574 1,583
Coles - 1 1
Cook 17 972 989
DeKalb - 2 2
DeWitt - 1 1
DuPage - 147 147
Effingham - 2 2
Fayette - 1 1
Franklin - 2 2
Grundy - 2 2
Henry - 2 2
Jackson - 1 1
Jo Daviess - 1 1
Kane 5 86 91
Kankakee 1 28 29
Kendall - 6 6
Knox - 3 3
Lake 5 249 254
LaSalle - 8 8
Madison - 5 5
McDonough - 3 3
McHenry - 14 14
McLean - 2 2
Mercer 1 2 3
Monroe - 1 1
Ogle - 4 4
Peoria - 3 3
Piatt - 1 1
Putnam - 1 1
Richland - 2 2
Rock Island - 24 24
Sangamon - 3 3
St. Clair - 4 4
Stephenson - 3 3
Tazewell - 1 1
Union - 1 1
Warren - 2 2
Whiteside - 2 2
Will - 152 152
Williamson - 5 5
Winnebago - 47 47
Undetermined - 6 6
Total 38 3,387 3,425

Locations may change as the result of additional information obtained through case investigations.

A confirmed case is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed infection.

A probable case is defined as a person with an acute febrile respiratory illness who is positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3.

The reported number of " probable and confirmed" cases do not reflect the overall incidence of H1N1 influenza in Illinois because CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health are not emphasizing testing of patients with mild illness. Most individuals with novel influenza H1N1 infection have mild illness and are not being tested.

Since the number of Illinois cases listed represent a weekly update, the totals may not always be consistent with those reported by local health departments. If there is a discrepancy between the state and local health department counts, data from the local health departments should be used as the most accurate number.

  Flu View - A weekly influenza surveillance report


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Phone 217-782-4977 | Fax 217-782-3987 | TTY 800-547-0466