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H1N1 Symptoms

What is Influenza A H1N1?

H1N1 is a new flu virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, in the same way that more common seasonal influenza viruses spread. This virus was first referred to as “swine flu” because testing showed it was similar to flu viruses in North American pigs.

What are the symptoms of Influenza A H1N1?

Influenza A (H1N1) symptoms include:

• Fever (greater than 100 degrees), chills
• Sore throat, headache, cough
• Body aches, fatigue
• Possible diarrhea and vomiting

If you do not have a fever greater than 100 degrees and a cough and/or sore throat, you do not have the flu. If you have any of these symptoms, you are strongly encouraged to contact your primary care physician. To protect yourself, you should practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, covering your nose and mouth with your sleeve if you cough or sneeze, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.

What warning signs should I look for that would indicate that I need to call the DU Health and Counseling Center?

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
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and cough

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have H1N1 flu and you become ill with fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home except to go to the doctor. You should stay home or in your residence hall for at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100 F [37.80 C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further. If you are very sick or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your doctor or health care provider. (See http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare_directions.htm for directions on how to take care of yourself when you have influenza.

H1N1 Virus Transmission

How does Influenza A H1N1 flu spread?

Spread of this H1N1 virus is happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. This can be prevented by frequent hand washing.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

H1N1 spreads in the same way as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they appear sick until at least 24 hours after fever has resolved.

How long can flu viruses live on objects such as books and doorknobs?

Studies show that flu viruses can survive on surfaces for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contaminated from common surfaces.

H1N1 Prevention Information

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if you are ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to help protect those around you. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm (not your hands) if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. (See Cough Safe for an instructional video).

Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness?

Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

• 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 hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school for at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100 F [37.80 C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Learn more at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm

What should I do to keep myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 flu virus. There are some simple actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses like flu. These include the following measures:

• Wash Your Hands - Use soap, hot water, & scrub for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose & eyes
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine
• Get plenty of sleep - this means feeling well rested upon waking
• Refrain from smoking & avoid secondhand smoke exposure
• Drink plenty of water each day
• Refrain from alcohol - alcohol dehydrates you & lowers your immune response system.
• Reduce your stress - Find ways to cope with stress and practice time management skills
• Eat your vitamins - keep a balanced diet with lots of fruits (bananas, grapefruit), veggies (squash, carrots, broccoli), protein (nuts, lean meats), whole grains (oatmeal, wheat bread) & avoid sugary foods & drinks.

What can I do if I've been exposed?

What are antiviral medications and how do they work?

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines, such as Tamiflu, 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. This fall, antivirals may be prioritized for persons with severe illness or those at higher risk for flu complications.

If a friend, family member, or roommate gets H1N1 influenza, should I take Tamiflu to keep from getting H1N1 influenza myself?

At this time, the CDC recommends Tamiflu prophylaxis in the following circumstances:

1. Close contacts of cases (confirmed, probable, or suspected) who are at high-risk for complications of influenza, and
2. Health care personnel, public health workers, or first responders who have had a recognized, unprotected close contact exposure to a person with H1N1 influenza virus infection during that person's infectious period.

Other exposed persons may be treated, based upon the discretion of their health care provider.

If I get H1N1 influenza, can I stay in my residence hall room with a roommate who is not sick?

At the current time, the CDC and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are not suggesting that students with ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) be isolated in separate rooms. Instead, they recommend that roommates follow guidance developed for caring for sick persons at home. See http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm.

H1N1 Vaccine

What are the plans for developing an H1N1 vaccine?

Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a novel H1N1 vaccine. Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, the (CDC has isolated the new H1N1 virus and modified the virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now using these materials to begin vaccine production. Making vaccine is a multi-step process which takes several months to complete.  Candidate vaccines are currently being tested in clinical trials.

When is it expected that the H1N1 vaccine will be available?

The novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall, no earlier than mid-October. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials.

Will vaccination against the new H1N1 influenza be mandatory?

It will not be mandatory. Federal public health officials will make recommendations for who should receive H1N1 vaccine, and state and local health departments and institutions will determine how to implement these recommendations. If the vaccine is recommended for use, those who choose vaccination for themselves or their children will be screened for contraindications to vaccination (such as an allergy to eggs ) and will receive information sheets describing the vaccine's risks and benefits, possible adverse events associated with vaccination, and how to report these events.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the novel H1N1 flu?

The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu. However, it is strongly recommended that all individuals get the seasonal flu vaccine because both types of influenza will be circulating during flu season.

Can the seasonal vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?

Clinical trial results will be necessary to confirm that novel H1N1 and seasonal vaccine will be safe and effective if given at the same time. We expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

Who will be recommended as priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine?

Based on what we're currently seeing with respect to the virus and epidemiologic data, states, communities, and health care providers should begin planning strategies for how they will vaccinate younger people (children and younger adults), pregnant women, healthcare personnel, and people who have underlying health conditions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other federal advisory bodies will continue to monitor the virus and review epidemiologic data.

Where will the H1N1 vaccine be available?

Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. Vaccine will be available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces. It is likely that the immunization will be available on the DU campus.