FLUFacts2009

Acting on reliable

information is key

to staying healthy

and preventing

the spread of a

pandemic flu. Just as

important is avoiding

inappropriate or

ineffective measures.

This Q&A is intended

to arm you with the

facts you need

to protect yourself,

your family, your

co-workers, and

to avoid panic.

Q. What should I do to keep from getting the flu?You can do a number of everyday things to help stay healthy and keep from getting the flu virus.

n The most important measure is to wash your hands often with soap and water (for at least 15 to 20 seconds each time), especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, alcohol based hand cleansers are effective.

n Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. n Avoid close contact, as much as possible,

with people who are sick with the flu.n Eat nutritious food, exercise, manage stress,

and get enough sleep.n Follow all local public health

recommendations.

Q. What should I do if I get sick with H1N1 flu?If you are sick with the flu, do not go to work or school. CDC recommends that you stay home (except to get local medical care or as instructed by your doctor), and limit your contact with other people as much as possible to keep them from getting infected. If you must leave your home (for example, to get medical care) wear a face mask (such as a surgical mask), if possible, to keep from spreading your illness to others. Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and throw your used tissue in the trash. This will help prevent those around you from getting sick. Clean your hands often, and especially after you cough or sneeze. Consult with your health care provider, particularly if you have severe illness or are at high rick for complications from the flu. Your health care provider will determine if influenza testing and/or treatment is needed.

Three Commercial Place n Norfolk, Virginia 23510

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Q. What is a pandemic flu?A pandemic flu occurs when a new flu virus starts spreading quickly and easily from person to person, causing a worldwide outbreak. Pandemic flu is highly contagious and can cause life-threatening illnesses and death. Because the virus is new, most people have no immunity to it. This means that a pandemic flu can cause more serious disease than seasonal or common flu.

Q. What is seasonal or common flu?Seasonal influenza (or the common flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a human flu virus. It typically occurs annually (usually in the winter), and can cause mild to severe illness, and at times lead to death. Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as people 50 years or older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions, and young children, are at a high risk for serious complications from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year in the US, approximately 5-20 percent of the population will become sick with the common flu, resulting in approximately 36,000 deaths each year.

Q. What is “swine flu?” Swine flu is a contagious respiratory illness of pigs caused by Influenza-A virus that regularly causes outbreaks of flu in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but sporadic human infections can occur, usually through prolonged, close contact with an infected pig.

Q. What is the “swine flu” virus or “H1N1” Influenza-A virus that’s being talked about in the news?The H1N1 Influenza-A virus is a combination of swine, bird, and human Influenza-A flu viruses. This H1N1 Influenza-A virus is a new flu virus that is considered to carry a substantial risk for causing a flu pandemic.

Q. Is the H1N1 Influenza-A virus contagious?The CDC has determined that this new Influenza-A virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

Q. How does the H1N1 Influenza-A virus spread?The H1N1 virus is thought to spread the same way that seasonal flu spreads, primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes contain flu virus particles, but do not remain suspended in the air and generally travel only a short distance through the air. People also can become infected by touching a surface contaminated with these respi-ratory droplets, then touching their nose or mouth.

Q. Can people catch H1N1 flu from eating pork?No. You cannot get H1N1 flu by eating pork or pork prod-ucts, but you should always ensure that it has been handled and prepared properly.

Q. What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 Influenza?The signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of the common flu and include fever (greater than 100° F), cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches, head-ache, chills, and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 flu have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Q. How long can someone with H1N1 flu infect someone else?People infected with H1N1 flu can potentially infect other people beginning one day before symptoms develop and for up to seven days after becoming sick. Some people who are infected can potentially infect others for longer periods (e.g., sick people with persistent symptoms, young infants, and people with compromised immune systems).

Q. Is there a vaccine to protect people from getting H1N1 flu virus?No, not at this time. However, work is under way to develop one. Making a new vaccine can take five to six months.

Q. Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu?There are antiviral medicines for treatment of H1N1 flu that a doctor can prescribe. Treatment is most effective if started within two days after becoming sick. These drugs can also help prevent H1N1 infection. Consult with your doctor about the correct indications for using antiviral medications.