H1N1 (Swine) Flu Guidance

Did You Know?

  • In the U.S. an estimated 25–50 million cases of seasonal flu are currently reported each year.
  • More than 150,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu complications each year. 
  • During the early 2009 outbreak, 63% of reported cases of the H1N1 flu was highest among people between 5 years to 24 years of age.


Flu season has arrived and in addition to dealing with seasonal flu, H1N1 (Swine Flu) continues to impact Washington residents. Be safe - learn about H1N1 and the preventative actions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. 

Updated: 11/19/09

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?

Swine Flu SpreadsPeople 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).

The virus can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes

People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose before washing their hands.

Boy sneezing

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).

 

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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
      • 메스꺼움
      • Vomiting
      • Diarrhea

When to seek medical care

If you have flu Medical Office Sign - When to Seek Medical Helpsymptoms 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

 

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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 Vaccineprotect 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:

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Limit the spread of germs and prevent infectionSick child

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 PurellRegistered trademark symbol.
    • 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). 추가적인 정보는 아래의 CDC H1N1 Exclusions Recommendation 페이지.
     

  Listen to the H1N1 audio Public Service Announcement

H1N1 (Swine Flu)


H1N1 (Swine Flu) Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.H1N1 (Swine Flu) Widget. Flash Player 9 is required.

Windows media player icon

Watch the Germ Trail video by DOH

다운로드: Microsoft Media Player 마이크로소프트 미디어 플레이어

플래시가 안됩니까? 문제 없습니다!이미지

  

Prevent the spread of flu, wash hands, stay home if sick

세균 확산 방지

팩트 시트:

영어
스페인어
러시아어
한국어
중국어
캄보디아어
베트남어

안전 포스터:

세균 확산 방지자
어린이 세균확산 방지자 1
어린이 세균확산 방지자 2

포스터: 다국어

가리고 기침하기

팩트 시트:

영어
스페인어
러시아어
한국어
중국어
캄보디아어
베트남어


안전 포스터:

Cover Your Cough 1
Cover Your Cough 2

포스터: 다국어

Swine Flu (H1N1)

팩트 시트:

영어
스페인어
러시아어
한국어
중국어
베트남어
 

Additional information:

 

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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.

72-Hour Comfort Kit

72-Hour Comfort Kit

Extended Event Supplies

Extended Events Supplies

 

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:Extra supplies to have on hand

  • 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.

 

 

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기업Information for Businesses and Community Organizations

 

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School house   Information for Schools and Parents

Additional Resources:

 

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News/Information Updates and Links 

뉴스:

Links:

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