With the flu season upon us, experts warn that swine (H1N1) flu is still a concern this year. Many of us have the same questions: How can I protect myself? Will the flu shot protect me? What should I do if I'm sick? Find answers to your pressing questions here.
Melinda Ratini, D.O., M.S., Medical Director for OptumHealth and MyOptumHealth.com and a practicing physician, breaks it down.
Q. What is swine flu?
A. Swine flu is a type of respiratory virus called H1N1 type A influenza. Normally it is a virus that affects only pigs, but there have been cases where people have also been affected. In the past, these outbreaks usually involved only a couple of people and ended very quickly. This virus has now become able to pass from person to person. This strain was first seen in humans in April 2009.
Q. Why are people so worried?
A. People have many questions when they hear of a new strain of flu. They want to know answers about how serious the outbreak may become, if the virus can be prevented, if it can be treated and who might be at risk for complications. By getting their information from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MyOptumHealth.com or their own doctors, a lot of these concerns can be answered.
Q. How can I prevent swine flu?
A. To protect yourself from swine flu, or any other flu viruses, the key is frequent handwashing. The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based waterless hand cleaner. Also:
- Avoid touching any surfaces that might be contaminated by flu virus. The flu virus is thought to be able to live on surfaces for up to eight hours.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This is where the germs can enter your body.
- Stay away from people who have flu symptoms if you can.
- Keep in the best possible health by getting enough sleep and eating nutritious food. This may also help you fight off infections.
Q. Am I protected if I get a seasonal flu shot?
A. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you from swine flu. Swine flu is a different virus than seasonal influenza, so the regular flu shot will not protect you against this strain.
But experts are urging all people who need the seasonal flu vaccine to get it as early as possible this flu season. Check with your doctor to see when it will be available.
Q. When can I get the swine flu vaccine?
A. The U.S. government estimates that the swine flu vaccine will be ready sometime later this fall. It will be available to people in priority groups first:
- Pregnant women and women who gave birth or lost a pregnancy less than two weeks earlier
- Caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
- Health care workers
- Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years old
- People 25 through 64 years old who have underlying health conditions that might increase their risk for flu-related complications.
Other groups will be able to get the vaccine, too, once more of it becomes available.
Q. Is it safe to receive the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine at the same time?
A. The H1N1 vaccine is available in two forms. One is a shot, which is made from inactivated flu particles. The other is a nasal spray made from weakened live virus.
- The H1N1 flu shot can be given at the same time as any other vaccine.
- The H1N1 nasal spray vaccine can be given at the same time as any other vaccine EXCEPT the seasonal flu nasal spray vaccine.
Q. How is this different from the seasonal flu?
A. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:
- Fever (not everyone will have a fever)
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Cough
Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, though, seem to be reported more frequently with swine flu than with the seasonal flu.
Q. Is swine flu more dangerous than the seasonal flu?
A. Both swine flu and seasonal flu can cause mild to severe illness and rarely, even death.
Each year about 36,000 people in the U.S. die from flu-related complications of the seasonal flu. And more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from the seasonal flu each year. Most people hospitalized are either under age 5 or older than age 65. Most deaths are in people over age 65.
So far, swine flu has been affecting more people younger than 25 years of age, and few people over age 64 have gotten sick. This is unusual because the seasonal flu usually affects people over age 64 the most.
As with seasonal flu, those who are pregnant or have chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or a weakened immune system) seem to be at higher risk for complications from swine flu. Also at increased risk are people 65 and older, children younger than 5, and children and teens with developmental disabilities.
Q. Should I go to the doctor even if I am not sick to get preventive medication?
A. If you are not sick and have not been exposed to the swine flu virus, you do not need to take any preventive medicine at this time.
Your doctor may suggest preventive medicine if you have been exposed to someone with swine flu, and you are either:
- A health care worker
- In a group that is at high risk for complications from swine flu (see below for list)
Your doctor can give you more information about this.
Q. What should I do if I think I have swine flu?
A. CDC says that most people will get better from swine flu without medical care. But people in the following groups are at increased risk for complications from the flu and should ask their doctor about the need for antiviral medication:
- Those with severe flu symptoms
- Women who are pregnant or who gave birth or lost a pregnancy less than two weeks earlier
- Young children
- People who have chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems
- Children with chronic medical conditions or developmental disabilities
- People who are 65 years of age or older
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
Otherwise, try to care for the flu using treatment at home. If possible, only leave the house if you need to seek medical treatment. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and consider taking an over-the-counter medication to ease your symptoms. And stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of any fever-reducing medication. This will help prevent spreading the illness to others.
Do not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill with flu symptoms. If you don¿t have the flu, you could catch it from people there who do have it.
Q. How is swine flu treated?
A. The antiviral medicines Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) appear to be effective in both preventing and treating this strain of swine flu. Standard treatments are also available to treat many of the symptoms that come along with the flu. This includes medicines to reduce fever, aches, cough and sore throat. Check with your doctor to see what treatments are right for you.
