Medical Resource
From the desk of Angie Finch, RN, Coffee Health Group.
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
H1N1, commonly referred to as “swine flu”, was first detected in the United States in April 2009. This new influenza virus spreads from person to person similarly to the regular seasonal influenza virus. The individuals most commonly affect are young people ages 5 – 24, pregnant women, people with underlying conditions and newborns -6 months.
To protect yourself and others from H1N1:
- Perform hand hygiene often – before and after patient contact
- Place a mask on anyone with signs and symptoms of influenza
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay inside if you are sick
Signs and Symptoms
- Fever of 100° F or greater
- Cough
- Sore Throat
- Runny Nose
- Body Aches
- Head Aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Some cases have included nausea or vomiting
For more information visit the Alabama Department of Public Health Website at www.adph.org.
Seasonal Flu
Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that can be mild to severe. The best way to prevent the flu is the get a seasonal flu vaccination each year.
Symptoms of seasonal flu include:
- fever (often high)
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- dry cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults. Some people who have been infected with the new H1N1 flu virus have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza on by touching a contaminated surface.
To protect yourself and others from seasonal flu:
- Get your seasonal flu vaccination each year
- Perform hand hygiene often – before and after patient contact
- Place a mask on anyone with signs and symptoms of influenza
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay inside if you are sick
Signs and Symptoms
- Fever of 100° F or greater
- Cough
- Sore Throat
- Runny Nose
- Body Aches
- Head Aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Some cases have included nausea or vomiting
People who should get a seasonal flu vaccination each year include:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
For more information visit the Alabama Department of Public Health Website at www.adph.org.
