Swine Flu Update

Novel H1N1 Influenza A

Key Points


• So far, this Novel H1N1 Influenza is of similar severity to seasonal influenza. As with seasonal influenza, there have been hospitalizations and deaths, but most people ill with this virus have recovered.

• However, the groups at highest risk for complications from this influenza are different than those we have seen every year from seasonal influenza.

o Pregnant women are at high risk of complications and death.
o Others with high risk include children under age 5 and people with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and kidney disease.
o Unlike seasonal influenza:
 Those older than age 64 appear to be LESS LIKELY to acquire Novel H1N1 Influenza.
 Children and young adults (under age 25) are at increased risk.

• The Federal Government is working with manufacturers to make vaccine against the Novel H1N1 Influenza. Some vaccine for high risk groups is anticipated in October, with vaccine for the rest of the population to follow. Priority groups for vaccination are:

o Pregnant women
o Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age (to protect these children, who are too young to be vaccinated)
o Healthcare and emergency medical service workers (to protect vulnerable patients)
o All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
o People aged 25 through 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
 These include those with diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease (asthma or COPD), kidney disease, cancer, blood disorders, liver disease, people with weakened immune systems (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV), and neurologic/neuromuscular (brain or spinal cord) disease or injury (including multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy).

• In addition to vaccine against the Novel H1N1 Influenza, vaccination to protect from regular seasonal influenza is recommended for the following groups:

o all children aged 6 months--4 years (59 months)
o children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
o women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
o people aged 50 years and older
o people who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma and COPD), cardiovascular (except hypertension), kidney, liver, blood, neurologic/neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus), immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus)
o residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
o health-care personnel
o household contacts and caregivers of children under age 5 and adults age 50 and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children less than 6 months of age
o household contacts and caregivers of people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza

• Antiviral medications are effective against most cases of Novel H1N1 Influenza.

o The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat people hospitalized for influenza and those with influenza who have a medical condition that increases their risk of severe complications.
o It is important that these antiviral drugs not be used unnecessarily, since improper use could lead to the virus becoming resistant to these medications. This would be a problem for all of us, including those who took the medications unnecessarily.

• Take these steps to protect your health:

o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze in your elbow.
o Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
o If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until 24 hours after the fever is gone. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.