H1N1 (Swine Flu) Fact Sheet

[Warph]

Main Points:

H1N1 flu cases are being reported in all 50 states with more than 20 states reporting widespread activity.

Nearly all influenza cases being reported are from the novel H1N1 virus according to CDC.

The federal Department of Health and Human Services says 30 to 50 percent of the population potentially could contract H1N1flu, which could cause 30,000 to 90,000 deaths.

The virus appears to spread in the same way the regular seasonal flu spreads from person to person, by direct contact or through virus-infected droplets coughed or sneezed in the air.

Emergency physicians are at the front lines of responding to pandemics, such as the H1N1 and seasonal flu.

Earlier this year, thousands of people sought care in emergency departments — some without flu symptoms but seeking reassurance, others seeking confirmation about whether they had H1N1, and some with symptoms who were directed to the emergency department by their family physicians.

The nation must strengthen its surge capacity to respond to disasters. Only a tiny fraction (4 percent of 3.38 billion) of federal funding for emergency preparedness was spent on medical preparedness, according to Institute of Medicine (2006).

ACEP has issued comprehensive guidelines for managing the outbreaks of H1N1 in the emergency department.

Q.  Should I get the H1N1 vaccine?
A.  Vaccine manufacturers report a vaccine will be available this fall. This vaccine is different from the seasonal flu vaccine that is not expected to protect against H1N1 flu.
While doses are limited, the CDC says the vaccine will be given to high-risk groups, including pregnant women, people who live or care for infants younger than 6 months, health care and emergency personnel, children 6 months to 4 years old, children 5 to 18 years old with underlying medical conditions. The next groups to get the vaccine will include children and adults ages 5 to 24, people ages 25 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions, other health care workers.

How can you help prevent getting swine flu?

Prevention methods recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ACEP include:

*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze and cough.  Throw the tissue in the trash  after you use it.
*Wash your hands often with soap and water.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are effective.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because germs spread that way.
*Stay home from work/school if you get sick.  A pandemic that sickens millions potentially could close schools and businesses, halt *travel and overwhelm health care facilities.
*Stay informed and follow public health advice regarding closures.

Q. What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
A.  Early on, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The CDC reports a high number of those infected with H1N1 also experience diarrhea and vomiting. Severe symptoms, such as respitory failure and pneumonia. 

Q. When should you go to the emergency department?
A.  If you have the symptoms of a medical emergency, seek emergency care. If you have some symptoms but need advice, contact your personal physician and get his or her recommendation about seeking care. If you go to the emergency department, consider calling first, to see whether there is a specific location to go. If you arrive in the emergency department, looks for any signs directing you and let the triage nurse know right away that you think you may have the flu.

CDC Emergency Warnings Signs in Children
*Fast breathing or trouble breathing
*Blueish skin color
*Not drinking enough fluids
*Not waking up or not interacting
*Being so irritable that your child does not want to be held
*Fever with rash or flu like symptoms that improve but worsen

CDC Emergency Warning Signs in Adults
*Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
*Pain or pressure in the chest or ab
*Sudden dizziness
*Confusion
Persistent vomiting

People may be contagious for up to 7 days from the onset of illness (children, and young children, possibly longer). Treatments include antiviral drugs, which work best if started within two days of the onset of symptoms. 

  Q. Can people catch H1N1 ( swine flu) from eating pork?
  A. No, the virus is not transmitted through food. Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs. 

  Q. Who has the highest risk of infection?
  A. Children and young adults will experience the highest rates of infection. People most at risk of severe medical consequences from any flu include the elderly, very young and people with weaker immune systems. 

  Q. Is the H1N1 flu fatal?
  A. It can be fatal, particularly in women that are pregnant and those with other health problems such as asthma and diabetes.
There have been nearly 600 deaths in the United States and more than 9,000 people hospitalized with the H1N1 flu. About 36,000 people die each year from the seasonal flu. 

  Q. What's being done in emergency departments to prepare for a potentially severe swine flu outbreak?
  A. ACEP has developed and distributed guidelines, working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Emergency Care Coordination Center, for managing patients with H1N1 virus in the emergency department. ACEP also has developed public guidance that includes a self-check list on when to seek emergency care.

Emergency physicians are using all means necessary to ensure every patient receives the best care possible. Hospital emergency departments are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and several state and local agencies in order to remain up to date with the latest information about potential outbreaks. For updated information from the CDC, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

[Diane Amberg]

Good one ,thanks. We had paper work to fill out when we got our H1N1. The board of health is tracking these cases to see who (categories) are getting the shots.