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H1N1 Influenza

What we know

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What is H1N1 Flu?

• A new, or novel, flu for which humans have little or no natural immunity

• H1N1 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization

• A pandemic is a global outbreak of a serious human flu

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What Do We Know About H1N1?

• Most people recover from H1N1 without hospitalization or medical care

• Severe illness from H1N1 appears to be similar to seasonal flu

• H1N1 has affected different age groups than seasonal flu– It more often affects younger

adults and children

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How Prevalent is H1N1 Flu?

• It is widespread in the United States and elsewhere

• Tests for H1N1 are done only for cases hospitalized or deceased

• We know that most people with the flu now have the H1N1 virus

• H1N1 is expected to increase during the fall

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Who is Most At Risk for a Severe Case of H1N1?

• Pregnant women

• Children 0 – 5 years of age

• Individuals of all ages with chronic medical conditions– Pulmonary asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD– Immune compromised– Medically fragile

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Prevention

H1N1 Flu

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How Can One Prevent the Spread of the Flu?

Personal care– Wash your hands frequently– Avoid touching eyes, nose,

and mouth– Cover your cough

• Stay home when you are ill

• Avoid contact with others who are ill

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Medical Prevention

• Get vaccinated against the flu from your healthcare provider

– Seasonal flu– H1N1 flu (as it

becomes available)

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When Can We Obtain H1N1 Vaccinations?

• H1N1 vaccine is available in limited quantities

• The PHD recommends those at highest risk for severe illness get it first

• Encourage individuals at risk to get the vaccine

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What Can Schools Do?• Encourage students

and staff to stay home when sick (at least 24 hours after no fever)

• Separate ill students and staff

• Reinforce hand hygiene and respiratory

etiquette

• Keep up routine cleaning

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers

• Encourage vaccinations as they become available

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When Should a Child with Flu be Excluded from School?

• When the child has a fever of 101.5 degrees and one of the following:

– Cough– Sore throat– Headache– Muscle ache– Upset stomach

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When Can a Child Return to School?

• 24 hours after a fever is gone

• When the child is well enough to participate

• A note from a physician is not required

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When Do We Dismiss School?

• School dismissals are not routinely recommended

• Dismissal should be discussed with the Health Officer based on the situation at the time

• Dismissals could be recommended:– if schools are not able to maintain

normal functioning

– to decrease the spread of flu if the disease is severe

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How Can You Best Get Your Questions Answered from PHD?

• Access website at www.sbcfluinfo.org

• Call our information line at 1-888-722-6358