H1N1 (Swine Flu)
- H1N1 flu is a contagious new influenza virus. Illness with the new H1N1 flu virus has ranged from mild to severe. More…
- The symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and possibly vomiting or diarrhea. More…
- H1N1 flu is spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by infected persons. Get vaccinated to protect yourself from the H1N1 flu. More…
- If you are infected with H1N1 flu, you should avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu More…
What is H1N1 Flu?
- H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, plus avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
- H1N1 flu is contagious. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person, in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
- H1N1 flu is NOT caused by eating pork or pork products. H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease, it is a respiratory disease. The USDA continues to remind consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked.
- Illness with the new H1N1 flu virus has ranged from mild to severe. While the vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 flu have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
- About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 flu have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the “high risk” category for serious seasonal flu-related complications. These include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
- Seniors (adults 65 years and older) are prioritized for antiviral treatment to limit risk of complication if they get flu. While your age means you have a lower risk of getting the flu, certain risk conditions (COPD, diabetes, etc.) mean if you get sick, you may have higher risk of complications from any influenza.
Listen to Podcast, “H1N1 (Swine) Flu” from CDC
More H1N1 Flu podcasts from CDC
H1N1 Flu and You Brochure (PDF - 184 KB)
Additional H1N1 flu information from the World Health Organization
Images of the H1N1 Influenza Virus (from CDC)
Symptoms of H1N1 Flu
- The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal flu, but may include additional symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
- Symptoms of Seasonal and H1N1 Flu:
Seasonal Flu
H1N1 Flu
All types of flu can cause:
- Fever
- Coughing and/or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
Similar to seasonal flu, but symptoms may be more severe.
There may be additional symptoms. A significant number of H1N1 flu cases:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Emergency Warning Signs - If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
Emergency warning signs in children:
Emergency warning signs in adults:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- 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
- 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 worse cough
Listen to “Protection from H1N1 Flu” from CDC
More H1N1 Flu podcasts from CDC
How to Prevent Contracting H1N1 Flu
- Get Vaccinated! Nationwide distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine is underway to all states. Vaccine production is now at or near full capacity. Get the latest information on vaccine allocation and shipment.
Materials for distribution:
“What You Need to Know” PDF (2009 H1N1 “Flu Shot” Vaccine Information Sheet)
“What You Need to Know” PDF (2009 H1N1 LAIV “Nasal Spray Vaccine” Vaccine Information Sheet)
Use our Flu Shot Locator to find vaccination sites where you live.Seasonal Nasal (LAIV)
Seasonal Flu Shot
H1N1 Nasal (LAIV)
Minimum two weeks between vaccinations
May be given in same visit.
H1N1 Flu Shot
May be given in same visit.
May be given in same visit.
- H1N1 flu is spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by infected persons. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
- People infected with the seasonal or H1N1 flu shed virus may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children or people with weakened immune systems.
- 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.
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.
Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®). Read detailed information about how long to stay away from others.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Public Service Announcements:
Podcasts:
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”Guidelines for Taking Care of Yourself and Others
If you have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu, you should:
Stay home, follow your doctor’s orders, and watch for signs that you need immediate medical attention.
Remain at home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
Avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu, such as people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, young children, and infants.
Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.
Get plenty of rest.
Drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages made for infants to prevent becoming dehydrated.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into your hands.
If you are taking care of someone who has contracted H1N1 flu, you should:
Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person. When holding a small child who is sick, place his/her chin on your shoulder so that he/she will not cough in your face.
Make sure everyone in the household cleans their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Remind the patient to cover coughs, and clean his/her hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
Speak with the person’s health care provider about any special care that might be needed, especially if the person is pregnant or has a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema.
Talk to your health care provider about taking antiviral medication, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®), to prevent getting the flu.
Ask the patient’s health care provider whether the patient should take antiviral medications.
Consider wearing a facemask or respirator, when close contact is unavoidable.
Monitor yourself and household members for flu symptoms and contact a telephone hotline or health care provider if symptoms occur.
Get medical care right away if the patient exhibits emergency warning signs
Additional Resources Learn more About the H1N1 flu vaccine Learn more about Medications and Antivirals Learn more abut H1N1 flu treatment for people with health conditions |
