The New H1N1 Influenza Virus: 5 Things You Must Know
By Glenda Diaz, Communicable Disease Investigator, Pima County Health Department
The first time we all heard about swine influenza we were alarmed and scared for little was known about the virus. Once the new H1N1 virus (proper name for swine influenza) was detected in the United States, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) immediately alerted the nation and requested help to gather more information on the virus and stop its transmission. Since then we have heard different stories on this virus, confusing us about the seriousness of the disease. Here are the five most important things you must know about the new virus.
- The new H1N1 virus is it is similar to seasonal influenza viruses. It can be mild in some people, cause pneumonia in others, and death in some. Symptoms can be some or all of the following: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and fatigue. Some patients with the H1N1 virus might also have diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Seasonal influenza usually affects mostly people 65 and older. However, the new H1N1 virus seems to affect more often a younger population. Remember this is a new virus, so we do not have immunity against it.
- So far the new H1N1 virus does not seem to be more fatal than normal influenza except in certain populations — babies, the elderly, and patients with underlying conditions, as with any disease, might develop complications from the infection, such as pneumonia or death. Underlying conditions are medical conditions that make the body’s immune system weaker than normal. These include diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, pregnancy, HIV infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases, among others.
- The virus is easily transmitted. Anyone with symptoms of influenza (cough, runny nose, fever, etc) should not be going to public places. The virus is easily passed from person to person by coughing or sneezing and not covering the mouth, and by touching objects with hands contaminated with the virus. A patient is infectious for about 7 days after onset of symptoms. If you have influenza symptoms and are going out in public or sending your children to school you are exposing members of the community. You might not know that the person sitting next to you is a cancer patient, who could potentially develop pneumonia or die from the infection. A sick person can prevent influenza from spreading by:
- Covering mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or into elbow
- Washing hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing nose
- Washing hands frequently
- Staying home from work, school, and other activities where many people are congregated, until symptoms have disappeared or after 7 days have gone by
- This influenza can be prevented. To avoid acquiring an influenza infection we must wash our hands frequently, especially after being around someone who has influenza symptoms. Also think about when you go shopping, to the fair, or to the movies where hundreds and thousands of people gather. We are all carrying germs that can be left behind on door handles, faucet handles, shopping carts, money, etc. Think every time you touch any surface it is loaded with germs. This is not meant to stop to you from going to public places, but to get you thinking that the door handle could have the influenza virus, and by simply washing your hands before placing them near your face, and you will be preventing not just influenza but other infectious diseases.
- We have the power in our hands to stop the virus from spreading if we follow three simple rules: stay home if sick, cover our cough and sneeze, and wash, scrub, wash hands!
As of the end of May, Arizona has had more than 500 confirmed cases and 4 deaths. Influenza can present as a mild infection or as a fatal and tragic disease. It is our own responsibility to protect our health, that of our babies, our elderly, and our severely ill family members and friends.
