H1N1 Flu FAQ

FAQ General:

Q: What can I do to limit H1N1?
A: Wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth, stay home if you are sick, unless it is an emergency, or you are in urgent need of medical care. Stay informed, and get vaccinated if possible.

Q: Do I have H1N1? Should I be tested for H1N1?
A: Patients with H1N1 will have a variety of symptoms. Typically, patients will have a fever (over 100 deg F), and cough, often with fatigue, chills, and or body aches. A variety of other symptoms may or may not be present. Not everyone with these symptoms needs to be seen by a doctor or tested for H1N1. If you decide to see your doctor, he/she will decide if testing is needed. Typically, we recommend testing only when the results of the test will change what your doctor will do (as in determining the need for treatment, see below). Patients who will require hospitalization, or at high risk of complication are recommended to be tested. Since testing is not perfect, we recommend everyone with concerning symptoms this flu season to proceed with caution. See above for what you can do to limit H1N1.

Q: When should I go to my doctor?
A: We would like to limit unnecessary trips to the doctor or emergency rooms in order to limit spread of disease, and to provide help best for those who most need it. If you are in doubt about the recommendations below, call your doctor’s office. We recommend that you go to your doctor if you are ill, are concerned about H1N1, and are at high risk for complications from H1N1 (see High Risk Groups below), or if you feel that your symptoms are uncontrollable. Patients with emergent conditions (see below) should go to the Emergency Room.

Q: When should I go to the Emergency Room?
A: Again, we would like to limit the use of medical resources by mildly ill patients. If you are uncertain, and need help emergently, call 911 or go to the Emergency Room. General guidelines are presented below:

CHILDREN

• 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

ADULTS

• 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

Q: Should I be treated for H1N1?
A: Not everyone needs to be treated for H1N1. All hospitalized patients, and high risk patients (see below) with confirmed, probable or suspected disease should be strongly considered for treatment. Treatment is usually most effective within 48 hours of onset of disease. If you are on treatment, you should take the medication as prescribed for its entire course. You must still follow the general precautions listed above, and limit travel outside of your home except in emergencies.

Q: Who is at high risk for H1N1 complications?
A: Children younger than 5 years old (especially < 2 years old)
Adults 65 years of age and older.
Pregnant women
Nursing Home residents
Patients under 19 years of age on long term aspirin therapy
Persons with:
Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular(except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological(including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV

Q: What can I do to treat my symptoms of H1N1 at home?
A: As with any viral illness, over the counter medications may be very helpful at limiting the severity of your symptoms. Tylenol (Acetaminophen), or Motrin (Ibuprofen) can be very helpful to reduce fever, and help with general body aches. Children under 4 years of age should have recommendations provided by their doctor. Please refer to this publication by the CDC for more detailed recommendations: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare_directions.htm

Q: How long should I stay home if I am sick?
A: All individuals should stay home at least 24 hours after you are fever free (without suppression of the fever with medication). Health care workers are currently recommended to stay home a minimum of 7 days from the onset of the illness, or 24 hours after fevers have resolved, whichever is longer.

Q: When/Where can I get my vaccine?
A: The earliest date vaccines will be available is at the end of October 2009. Check back in for further information on who should be vaccinated, and how to get your H1N1 Immunization.

Q: Where can I get more information on H1N1?
A: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/