H1N1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does the H1N1 flu compare with the seasonal flu?
H1N1 presents clinically very similarly to seasonal flu.  The biggest difference is the population most likely to be infected.  The H1N1 strain appears to affect a much younger population than the seasonal flu.

How do you catch the H1N1 flu?
H1N1 flu is a droplet illness just like seasonal flu.  Viruses are present in droplets that are spread when coughing and sneezing.  If these droplets come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes, then the potential of infection exists.  There also is a possibility of spread via inanimate objects such as door knobs and handles on cabinets.  If you touch a contaminated item and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, the virus may spread.  The virus may live up to several hours on surfaces.  This is why cleaning and good hand hygiene are so important, particularly during flu season.

What can I do to help prevent me from catching the H1N1 flu or spreading it?
Get your H1N1 and seasonal flu shots as soon as they are offered to you.

Practice good hand hygiene.  Wash your hands often with soap and water, particularly after sneezing or coughing.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Practice respiratory etiquette.  The main way that the flu spreads is from person to person in droplets produces by coughs and sneezes.  It’s important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  If you can’t do that, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hands.

Stay home if you are sick.  This way you keep the virus to yourself instead of putting others at risk. 

Do I need to get both the regular flu shot and the H1N1 flu shot?
Yes.  Both flu shots cover different strains of viruses and one does not protect against the other.  Health care workers need to understand that not getting the vaccine puts more than themselves at risk.  You can shed a virus and thus spread illness for 24-48 hours before you are with symptoms.  Non-immunized health care workers are potentially putting their patients and families at risk.

When can we expect to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine?
The H1N1 flu vaccine is expected around mid-October.  YAMMRS is waiting for confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania State Department of Health regarding its availability.

What are the symptoms of the H1N1 flu?
The symptoms are very similar to the seasonal flu.  A cough and fever of greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit are the most common.  These are typically, but not always, accompanied with malaise and body aches.  The only mild difference is that 25-30 percent of H1N1 flu cases also have gastrointestinal illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhea.

What should I do if I become sick with flu-like symptoms?
Most people should just stay home and rest.  Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks.  Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achiness and fever.  Always check with your physician before giving children medicine.  Adult cold and fever remedies are not for them.

If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away.  You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza.  These drugs can reduce the severity of H1N1 flu if taken right after the symptoms start.

If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for children), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to the emergency department.

Can I catch the flu from getting a flu shot?
No.  This is a common misconception.  You cannot catch the virus from the vaccine.

If I have a flu-like illness is it important for me to be tested for H1N1?
Testing is not needed in most cases.  This testing is done for epidemiological purposes at this point.  The lag time on positive testing is nearly a week.  This means most people are recovered and back to normal before tests are finalized.  Pennsylvania is currently limiting testing to those patients admitted due to the critical nature of their illness.  Currently, most rapid methods of testing have a very low sensitivity rate.  Many rapid tests report 40 to 60 percent false negatives.  Our laboratory is aggressively exploring more appropriate testing for H1N1.  But until that is available, testing is not recommended or required for the non-admitted patient.