date: Saturday f 31, 2010
Novel H1N1 Swine Flu Diagnosis And Treatment
novel H1N1 Swine flu Diagnosis and Treatment
How can human infections with novel H1N1 flu be diagnosed?
To diagnose H1N1 influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 7 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.
Is there a vaccine for H1N1 flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent H1N1 flu. There is no vaccine to protect humans from H1N1 flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.
Are there medicines to treat infection with this new virus?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these new influenza A (H1N1) viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. During the current outbreak, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during is to treat severe influenza illness.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish or gray skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
Related Products And Free Videos
More Novel H1N1 Swine Flu In Humans Information
How Does The New H1N1 Swine Flu Virus Spread
... this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. Photo of man sneezingHow long can an infected person spread this virus to others? At the current time, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu ...
... used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for prevention, the number of days that they should be used will vary depending ...
Facemask And Respirator Use Where H1N1 Influenza Virus Transmission Has Been Detected
... revised as new information about the use of facemasks and respirators in the current setting becomes available. For more information about human infection with swine influenza virus, visit the CDC H1N1 Flu website. www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ 1 Unless otherwise specified, the term "facemasks" refers to disposable ...
Novel H1N1 Swine Flu In Humans
... to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection. How common is this virus infection in humans? In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human H1N1 influenza virus infection every one to ...
... species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have ...
Antiviral Drugs And H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
... against influenza viruses, including swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs can be used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu viruses. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional. Influenza antiviral drugs only work against influenza viruses -- they will not ...
Novel H1N1 Flu Swine Flu And Feeding Your Baby What Parents Should Know
... against it. Mothers pass on protective antibodies to their baby during breastfeeding. Antibodies are a type of protein made by the immune system in the body. Antibodies help fight off infection. Flu can be very serious in young babies. Babies who are not breastfed get sick from infections like the flu ...
... symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further. Other important Swine Flu Prevention actions that you can take are * Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. * Be ...
School Guidance In Response To Human Infections With The Novel Influenza A H1N1 Virus
... protect students, staff, parents and other caregivers from a potentially severe disease as well as limit spread into the community. New information on disease severity warrant revision of the school closure guidance. Most U.S. cases have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza. ...
... should follow standard precautions with all patients, regardless of infection status (http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_pandemic_health.pdfExternal Web Site Policy., page 15). Health care workers treating patients with suspected or known illness easily transmitted by contact, droplet, or airborne ...
Influenza Medicines Diagnostic Test In Response To Swine Flu Outbreak In Humans
... the agency. Currently, Relenza is approved to treat acute uncomplicated illnesses due to influenza in adults and children 7 years and older who have been symptomatic for less than two days, and for the prevention of influenza in adults and children 5 years and older. Tamiflu is approved for the treatment ...