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H1N1 Information
Seasonal Flu vs. H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Most of the publicity this year has focused on the H1N1 flu (swine flu), but is there a difference between this strain and the seasonal flu?
There are thousands of different strains of viruses that can and do cause the flu. The seasonal flu is comprised of several different strains. The H1N1 is a new strain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 200,000 people a year are hospitalized by the seasonal flu and 36,000 die from it, although people over 65 are most at risk. H1N1, in contrast, mainly affects people under 25.
Both seasonal flu and H1N1 are contagious, and their symptoms are the same. Only by seeing your doctor can you be sure if you have the seasonal flu or the H1N1 virus; however, the time for seasonal flu doesn’t really begin until October, so most flu right now is H1N1. Although getting a shot for the seasonal flu probably won’t help prevent getting the H1N1 flu, the CDC and other health organizations recommend you get both shots as soon as they become available.
Staying Healthy
The two most basic practices a person can do to help prevent catching and spreading germs and viruses are hand washing and covering your cough.
Hand Washing
People in the United States are being advised to be very diligent about hand washing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on their web site about when and how you should wash your hands for optimal protection.
Covering Your Cough
Another important way to prevent the spread of diseases is to properly cover your cough. The CDC provides information on covering your cough as well.
Other Healthy Practices
There are several other steps the CDC recommends as ways to prevent the spread of flu and other diseases:
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick or when you are sick
- Stay home when you are sick. Keep your children home from school if they are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Practice other health habits of getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Signs and Symptoms
The Ohio Department of Health lists the following as signs and symptoms of swine flu:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Head aches
- Chills and fatigue
Additional Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides key facts on swine flu as well as an extensive amount of other information.
The Ohio Department of Health is another place to monitor information about swine flu.
The United States government has a full website with pandemic flu information at PandemicFlu.gov.
Seasonal Flu
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of the seasonal flu are virtually identical to that of the swine flu (see above). Only your doctor can truly determine which version you have.
Additional Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives an excellent overview of the seasonal flu andwhat to do if you get sick.
The Ohio Department of Health gives summary information on the flu as well as the American Lung Association’s locator for flu shot clinics.
