Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Prevention

Vaccine

A pandemic H1N1 flu vaccine is available. The vaccine comes in two forms: a nasal spray and a shot. The nasal spray will be given in two doses (given one month apart) for children aged 2-9 years and in one dose for persons aged 10-49 years. The shot will be given in two doses (given one month apart) to children aged six months to nine years old and in one dose for people aged 10 years and older. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccine is right for you.

Ways to Avoid Getting the Pandemic H1N1 Flu

There are general measures you can take to reduce your risk of getting the virus:

• Wash your hands often, especially when you come in contact with someone who is sick. Wash your hands for 15-20 seconds with soap and water. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
• Avoid close contact with people who have respiratory infections. The flu can spread starting one day before and ending seven days after symptoms appear.
• Avoid crowded gatherings, especially if you are at high risk for complications from the pandemic H1N1 flu. Consider using a disposable face mask if you are at high risk and are unable to avoid crowded areas where at least one case of the pandemic H1N1 flu has been confirmed.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve is also helpful.
• Do not spit.
• Do not share drinks or personal items.
• Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
• Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
• Do not use products sold on the Internet claiming to prevent the pandemic H1N1 flu. Talk to your doctor before using such products.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you or your child do not attend swine flu parties.

If you are taking care of someone who has the pandemic H1N1 flu, follow these steps:

• To prevent areas from being contaminated, try to keep the person who is sick in one room of the house.
• Wash your hands after having contact with the person.
• If you cannot avoid close contact with the sick person, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask (or a N95 respirator if available).
• Limit contact with other members of the household or community while taking care of the person.
• The person who is sick should have little contact with others and stay home from school or work. You can go to school or work if you feel well, but remember to keep track of your health and take precautions (like washing your hands).
• If you develop symptoms of a flu-like illness, call your doctor (or as advised by local public health official) immediately.

For more information, visit the CDC's page on caring for someone with the pandemic H1N1 flu.

Preventive Medicines for People at High Risk

Medicines to prevent the pandemic H1N1 flu, such as zanamivir (Relenza) or oseltamivir (Tamiflu), may be considered for:

• People who have close contact with an infected person (confirmed or suspected) and have conditions that put them at high risk for complications, including those who:
  • Have a chronic health condition or a suppressed immune system
  • Are younger than 19 years old on long-term aspirin (There is a risk of Reye's Syndrome.)
  • Are aged 65 years or older
  • Are younger than five years old
  • Are pregnant
  • Live in a nursing home
• Healthcare or public health workers who have contact with an infected person (confirmed or suspected)

Ask your doctor if you should take preventive medicine.

Ways to Avoid Spreading the Pandemic H1N1 Flu

If you have the pandemic H1N1 flu, take these steps to avoid spreading it to others:

• Avoid close contact with people. Before you can return to school or work, your fever should be gone for at least 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medicine. This could take up to seven days after symptoms first appear. It is important to stay home if you have the flu, leaving your house only to see your doctor.
• If you cannot avoid close contact, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask.
• Wash your hands often. Rubbing alcohol-based cleaners on your hands is also helpful.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue after you use it. Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or upper sleeve will also keep you from spreading the flu with your hands. Do not spit.
• Do not share drinks or personal items.
• Wash eating utensils with hot water and soap.
• Do not bite your nails or put your hands near your eyes, mouth, or nose.
• Keep surfaces clean by wiping them with a household disinfectant.
• Use the hot setting on your washing machine when washing infected laundry.