What is H1N1 Flu -- how to avoid catching, spreading it Published May 6, 2009 VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- (The following are questions and answers about the H1N1 Influenza, also known as Swine Flu, taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site -- www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.) What should I do if I get sick? If you live in areas where H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms or if you or a household contact have traveled to locations where H1N1 have been reported, then your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. Flu-like symptoms include a fever over 100˚F, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Areas where H1N1 have been reported include Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness. If you become ill and experience any of the following serious warning signs, seek medical attention immediately. In children, warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: · 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 In adults, 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 What is H1N1? H1N1 is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get H1N1, but human infections do occur. H1N1 viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 in people? The symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever over 100˚ F, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1. In the past, severe illnesses, like pneumonia and respiratory failure, and deaths have been reported with H1N1 infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. How does H1N1 spread? Spread of the swine influenza A (H1N1) 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 by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. 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 to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. How long can an infected person spread H1N1 to others? People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to seven 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? Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces. What is the best way to prevent spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing? If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. 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. When you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used when hands are not visibly soiled. 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. Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork? No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. For more information, contact the Oklahoma State Health Department hotline to speak to someone directly -- 1-866-278-7134, Option #1.