Health Department

H1N1 Flu Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is H1N1 influenza?

H1N1 virus, also known as "swine flu" and "swine Influenza A" is a virus that can spread from people who are infected to others through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch. H1N1 virus is not transmitted from pigs to humans or from eating pork products.

What is Nashville’s Health Department doing now?

Public Health is actively working with doctors and hospitals to monitor the level and severity of flu like illness in Nashville.  The Health Department is offering injectable H1N1 flu vaccine, when available, to at risk populations such as pregnant women, children six months to four years of age, children 5 years to 18 years of age with underlying health conditions such as asthma, and caregivers and household contacts of those under six months of age.  We are also offering H1N1 nasal spray to those 2 years to 49 years of age, without underlying health conditions, and not pregnant.

To date, H1N1 influenza in Davidson County is similar to what we would see in typical winter influenza season. However, since it is not possible to predict at this time if the outbreak will worsen or remain mild, Public Health is working to be sure that our community is prepared in case the situation becomes more serious. This includes preparing to activate medical surge capacity to offset potential high demand for services at hospitals and clinics, developing plans in place to distribute antiviral medication, and increasing public education and health promotion.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu (swine flu)?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 flu also reported diarrhea and vomiting. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 infection in people. Similar to seasonal flu, H1N1 may make chronic medical conditions worse

What do I do if I’m sick with flu

If you get sick, stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others until you have been fever free for 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medicine.

If I experience flu symptoms, do I need medication?

Your doctor will be able to determine if antiviral medicines Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) can help alleviate flu symptoms.

When should I seek medical care?

Use the same judgment you would use during a typical flu season. Do not seek medical care if you are not ill or have mild symptoms for which you would not ordinarily seek medical care. If you have more severe symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or are feeling more seriously ill, call your health care provider to discuss your symptoms and if you need to be evaluated.

Is there a vaccine for 2009 H1N1 influenza?

We began receiving H1N1 nasal vaccine and a small number of doses of H1N1 injectable vaccine in late October. We expect to continue receiving shipments of H1N1 vaccine in the coming weeks and months. The season influenza vaccine does not provide protection against H1N1 influenza. This makes ordinary precautions, such as covering coughs and washing hands, all the more important.

HEALTH PROTECTION TIPS

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available. Visit www.health.nashville.gov

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Do not go to work or school if you are sick. Public Health urges that sick people limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • If you don’t have one yet, consider developing a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, and other essential supplies. This is to avoid contact with other people as much as possible, including trips to the store. Prepare to get by for at least two weeks on what you have at home.

What should parents do to protect children?

  • Keep your child home from school or daycare until they have been fever free for 24 hours without using a fever-reducing medicine.
  • Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

Is it okay to go to large gatherings, like concerts and sports events?

To date, the severity of the H1N1 flu outbreak appears to be similar to a regular winter flu season. Make decisions about going to large gatherings as you would during a winter flu outbreak. If you want to do everything you can to avoid catching H1N1 flu virus, then avoid large gatherings. It is especially important not to participate in group gatherings if you are ill or have symptoms of influenza.

Is it okay to go to high school football games if a child (or children) at my child’s school has H1N1?
To date, the severity of the H1N1 flu outbreak appears to be similar to regular winter flu season. Those with flu symptoms should stay home. If you choose to go then do all that you can to prevent the spread of germs.

What are the signs of more severe illness with 2009 H1N1 influenza?

While the current 2009 H1N1 influenza cases have been mild so far, infected individuals should still be aware of some of the more severe illness with H1N1 influenza. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • 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 a fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash

In adults, symptoms that need emergency medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

What should I do if someone I live with is sick with flu-like symptoms?

If the symptoms are severe, the person should seek medical attention. If the affected person has had close contact with a probable or confirmed case of H1N1 flu, the provider may suggest testing for 2009 H1N1 influenza.

What should I do if someone I live with has confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza?

Take the same precautions you would to avoid ordinary seasonal flu:
  • Limit your contact with the affected person. Avoid close contact such as kissing, and do not share towels, glasses or toothbrushes with the affected person.
  • Avoid having visitors. If visitors must enter the home, they should avoid close contact with the affected person.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Wash dirty dishes and eating utensils in either a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap. You do not need to separate eating utensils for use by a patient with influenza.
  • It is fine to do your laundry in a standard washing machine with warm or cold water and detergent. It is not necessary to separate the patient’s laundry.

Can household cleaning help prevent transmission?

Yes. To help prevent transmission, all hard surfaces, such as doorknobs, refrigerator door handles, telephones, and bathroom surfaces, should be washed with soap or detergent, rinsed with water and then disinfected and rinsed. Disinfectants are those with “registered disinfectant” on the label. If disinfectants are not available, use a chlorine bleach solution made by adding 1 tablespoon of bleach to a quart (4 cups) of water. Use a cloth to apply this to surfaces and then rinse them with water. Dispose of the used bleach solution and mix a fresh solution when repeating the cleaning process. Use sanitizer cloths to wipe electronic items (phones, computes, remote controls) that are touched often.

What can I do if my anxiety about the situation feels overwhelming?

Seeking information is healthy, but watching report after report about 2009 H1N1 influenza may be distressing, especially for children. Parents should limit children’s news-watching, watch the news with their children, and talk to them about the events that are occurring. Taking time during the day to calm yourself through relaxation exercises may make it easier to sleep, concentrate, and have energy for coping with life. Suggestions include breathing exercises, meditation, listening to soothing music, reading, stretching, spending time in nature and so on. If you find your anxiety is interfering with your ability to maintain your regular daily routine, seek help from your doctor or health care provider.

Visit the Metro Public Health Department’s website (www.health.nashville.gov) for the latest information or call our H1N1 flu information telephone line (615) 340-7775.