2009 H1N1 Who is at greatest risk of infection
z Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and
water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
2009 H1N1 flu (sometimes cal ed “swine flu”) is a new
with this new virus?
z Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs
influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people.
So far, younger people have been more likely to be
Because this virus is very different from current seasonal
infected with 2009 H1N1 flu than older people. Most cases
z Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
influenza viruses, many people will not have protective
of 2009 H1N1 have occurred in people younger than 25
immunity against it and the seasonal flu vaccine will not
z Stay home if you are sick. CDC recommends that you
years of age. At this time, there are relatively few cases of
stay home from work or school and limit contact with
2009 H1N1 in people 65 or older, which is unusual when
Influenza is unpredictable, but this flu season could be
z Fol ow public health advice regarding school closures,
worse than recent years because of the 2009 H1N1 virus.
avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
CDC is preparing for an early flu season and expects both
Prevention
z Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home
2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu to cause il ness, hospital
What can I do to protect myself from
for several days; a supply of over-the-counter medicines,
getting sick from 2009 H1N1 flu?
alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, facemasks and other
How does 2009 H1N1 flu spread?
CDC recommends a three-step approach to fighting the
related items might be useful and help avoid the need
Both 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal influenza are thought to
flu: vaccination, everyday preventive actions including
to make trips out in public while you are sick and
spread mostly from person to person through the coughs
frequent hand washing and staying home when sick,
and sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People
and the correct use of antiviral drugs if your doctor
also may get sick by touching something with flu viruses
If You Get Sick
on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.
A vaccine against 2009 H1N1 flu is being produced. What should I do if I get sick? How long can a sick person spread
To protect those at greatest risk of 2009 H1N1, CDC
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms this flu
recommends that certain people get the 2009 H1N1
2009 H1N1 flu to others?
season you should stay home and avoid contact with other
flu vaccine first when it becomes available. These key
people except to seek medical care. Most people have
People infected with 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may
groups include people who are at higher risk of getting
been able to recover at home from 2009 H1N1 without
be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to
sick or having serious flu complications, those who are
needing medical care and the same is true of seasonal flu.
about 7 days after getting sick. This can be longer in some
likely to come in contact with 2009 H1N1, and those who
people, especial y children and people with weakened
However, some people are at high risk of serious flu-related
could infect young infants who cannot be vaccinated
How severe is illness associated with
Children younger than 5, but especial y children
this 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
2009 H1N1 flu il ness has ranged from mild to severe. Most
z People who live with or provide care for children
healthy people who have been sick with 2009 H1N1 have
recovered without needing medical treatment, however,
z Health care and emergency medical service personnel,
hospitalizations and deaths from 2009 H1N1 have occurred.
z People 6 months to 24 years of age , and
Most people who have been hospitalized with 2009 H1N1
Neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions
z People 25 to 64 years of age who are at higher risk for
have had a medical condition that places them at higher
[including disorders of the brain, spinal cord,
2009 H1N1 flu complications because of an underlying
risk of serious flu-related complications. However, some
muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
health condition or compromised immune systems.
people who have become very ill have been previously
Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive
healthy. Severe infections have been reported among
Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of
pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis)
people of all ages. While few people over the age of 65
germs that cause respiratory il nesses like influenza.
have been infected with this new virus, if people in this
z Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you
Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
age group become il , they are at higher risk of developing
cough or sneeze. (Throw the tissue in the
Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mel itus)
of serious influenza-related complications. CDC
Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic
recommends the use of the antiviral drugs oseltamivir
Weakened immune systems due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or
How long should I stay home if I’m sick?
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours
If you (or your child) are in one of the groups above and
after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for
develop flu-like symptoms, consult a health care provider
other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the
to get advice about seeking medical care. Also, it’s possible
use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others
for otherwise healthy people to develop severe il ness so
as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
any one concerned about their il ness should consult their
Staying at home means that you should not leave your
home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding
There are “emergency warning signs” that should signal
normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping,
social events, and public gatherings. If you must leave the house (for example to see your doctor), wear a facemask,
Emergency Warning Signs
if you have one and it is tolerable, or cover coughs and
In Children:
sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.
ast breathing or trouble breathing luish skin color Flu symptoms ot drinking enough fluids ot waking up or not interacting can include eing so irritable that the child does not want to be held lu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough sore throat ever with a rash runny or stuffy nose In Adults: body aches ifficulty breathing or shortness of breath headache ain or pressure in the chest or abdomen udden dizziness onfusion evere or persistent vomiting sometimes diarrhea and vomiting Are there medicines to treat *It’s important to note that not everyone infection with this new virus? with flu will have a fever.
Yes. There are prescriptions drugs cal ed “antivirals” that can treat influenza il ness, including 2009 H1N1. These drugs can make il ness milder and may also prevent serious
For more information visit
complications. The priority use for influenza antiviral
flu or
drugs this flu season is to treat people who are severely ill
or call 800-CDC-INFO
(hospitalized) and sick people who are at increased risk
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Reduced Basal Ganglia Volumes After Switching to Olanzapine in Chronically Treated Patients With Schizophrenia Donna J. Lang, Ph.D. Objective: A follow-up study of patients Lili C. Kopala, M.D., F.R.C.P.C. spectively) and did not differ from those ofhealthy subjects at the follow-up evalua- Robert A. Vandorpe, M.D., tion. Akathisia was also reduced. In the pa- F.R.C.P.C.