H1N1(Swine Flu)

Influenza, including 2009 H1N1 (swine flu), is a vaccine-preventable illness. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family from getting this disease.

2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is now widely available. If you, your children or members of your family have not been vaccinated yet, now is a good time.

Flu pandemics often come in “waves,” and a third wave of H1N1 flu illness could occur this spring. Getting the flu vaccine will protect you and your loved ones.

Where should I get vaccinated?

More than 147 million doses of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine have been distributed, so check with your physician. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also has a vaccine locator on its Web site: www.flu.gov.
 

During the week of May 14-21, 2010, nationally  key flu indicators indicate influenza activity is low in the United States

Have changes to the 2009 H1N1 virus been reported?
The majority of 2009 H1N1 viruses tested by CDC and the other three World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers located around the world are similar and have changed relatively little since April 2009 when the 2009 H1N1 virus was first detected. However, there have been occasional reports of small changes in the genes of some virus samples collected from some people infected with 2009 H1N1 in several countries.

What are these changes to the 2009 H1N1 virus and what are the implications for public health?
The changes to the 2009 H1N1 virus that have been reported out of Norway, and that WHO has reported as being detected occasionally in viral isolates in other countries, are scientifically known as D222G and D222N changes. The public health implications of these changes are currently being studied by CDC and WHO scientists. At this time, these changes appear to occur sporadically and spontaneously. No links between the small number of patients infected with 2009 H1N1 virus with these changes have been found, and viruses with these changes do not appear to be spreading to other people. Although further investigation is underway, there is no evidence that these changes in the 2009 H1N1 virus have lead to an unusual increase in the number of 2009 H1N1 infections or to a greater number of severe or fatal cases. Worldwide, these changes have been found in mild cases of 2009 H1N1 illness as well as severe cases of illness that have resulted in death. As a result, the public health significance of this finding remains unclear.

Will the 2009 H1N1 vaccine still protect against these viruses?
According to CDC and WHO experts, the 2009 H1N1 vaccine remains well matched with the 2009 H1N1 viruses that contain these small changes. There is no reason to think that the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be less effective against these viruses based on the area of the influenza virus where these changes have occurred.

Will antiviral drugs work against the 2009 H1N1 viruses that have these changes?
The D222G and D222N changes found in these 2009 H1N1 isolates are not associated with resistance to oseltamivir or any other influenza antiviral medication.

Which countries have reported finding 2009 H1N1 viruses with these changes?
A recent report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health described a change in the 2009 H1N1 virus (D222G) found in the first two people in Norway who died from 2009 H1N1 as well as an additional Norwegian patient with severe influenza illness. This D222G change was not found in the virus samples isolated from other people who died in Norway of 2009 H1N1 related causes. Norwegian scientists have analyzed samples from more than 70 patients infected with 2009 H1N1, and no additional viral isolates containing these changes have been found.

In addition to Norway, CDC has received sporadic reports of these changes found in viral isolates from Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Uruguay and the United States.

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Swine Influenza (H1N1/swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented.

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can to do preventing getting and spreading influenza:

The H1N1 virus is a hybrid, with genetic elements of swine influenza, avian influenza, and human influenza. The H1N1 vaccine will be available soon. Because this is a new strain, seasonal flu shots do not protect people, so good hygiene is important to help prevent the spread of germs. The influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. The CDC recommends:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands
• Put used tissues in the trash.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Wash with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them. People should stay home at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

People cannot get swine flu from pork or pork products.

If you suspect your child has influenza, call your pediatrician.

~AAP