What is H1N1 (swine) flu?

H1N1 flu (earlier referred to as "swine flu") is a new influenza that is causing illness in people. It was first diagnosed in the United States in April 2009 and is thought to spread in much the same way that regular seasonal flu spreads—through coughing or sneezing by an infected person.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu in people?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu can vary in severity from mild to severe, and may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Should I keep my healthy children home from school as a precaution?

No. Parents do not need to keep otherwise healthy children home from school unless directed to do so by local school and health officials.

However, children who are ill should not attend school. Please monitor your child for influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and keep your child home if he/she is sick. You may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if symptoms are severe.

Is there a vaccine against H1N1 flu?

CDC has developed a vaccine for H1N1 flu; it is now available in limited quantities. As always, a vaccine is available and recommended to protect against seasonal influenza.

What are strategies to protect against getting sick?

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health and educate your children about these strategies:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the crook of the elbow.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. In order to kill germs, health officials recommend washing long enough to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Use of alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Additionally, avoid sharing personal items, such as drinks, food or unwashed utensils.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I or my children become ill?

Click here to link to the CDC's action steps parents can take if children must stay home due to illness.

If you or your children become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider particularly if you are worried about the symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you or your children are sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading illness to others. As a parent, it's recommended that you have a plan in place to care for your children if they become ill and must stay home. Ill persons should stay home even if they're taking anti-viral medications.

The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like symptoms remain at home for at least 24 hours after there are no more signs of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications). A fever is defined as a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.

What percentage of hospitalizations for 2009 H1N1 flu occur in different age groups in the United States?

According to the CDC, from August 30, 2009 to October 10, 2009, states reported 4,958 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 hospitalizations to the CDC. Of these H1N1-related hospitalizations, the percentage breakdown according to age groups is as follows:

0 to 4 years of age: 19 percent
5-18 years of age: 25 percent
19-24 years of age: 9 percent
25-49 years of age: 24 percent
50-64 years of age: 15 percent
65 years of age and older: 7 percent

Should I avoid travel to other countries or areas of the United States where H1N1 has been identified?

CDC maintains a Travelers' Health Web site. You should check this site for any restrictions. This site also provides recommendations to help you reduce your risk of infection. Click here to access this site.

Can I get H1N1 flu from eating or preparing pork?

No. H1N1 influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get H1N1 influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

What is the H1N1 flu vaccine?

On Sept. 1, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of a new vaccine to protect against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus. The vaccines will be administered in two types. One is administered via nasal spray, and contains a live, attenuated virus. An injectable version of the vaccine, or shots, contains inactivated virus. Information on both types of the H1N1 vaccine can be found at www.flu.gov.

Are the H1N1 flu vaccines safe?

The Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines are manufactured and tested using the same processes used for the seasonal vaccine. Many millions of doses of seasonal vaccine have been distributed every year for many years, and seasonal vaccines have a well-established safety profile. People who have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to chicken eggs or to any other substance in the vaccine should not be vaccinated. Everyone should make an informed decision about flu vaccines in consultation with their personal physician.

Is this vaccine part of the seasonal influenza vaccine that is recommended every year?

No, this is a stand-alone vaccine and is separate from the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine provide protection against the 2009 H1N1 flu virus?

No. Although the currently licensed seasonal flu vaccines contain an H1N1 subtype, their subtype differs from the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, which is a new virus strain that has never before circulated among humans.

Do I still need to get the seasonal flu vaccine?

According to the state health department, it is still important that individuals for whom the seasonal flu vaccine is recommended receive it.

CDC statistics show that between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population are infected with seasonal flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from its complications and about 36,000 people die.

According to state and federal health officials, vaccination is the best protection against influenza and can prevent many illnesses and deaths. Since flu viruses change almost every season, there is always a possibility of a less than optimal match between the vaccine and the virus strains that end up causing the most illness. However, even if the vaccine and the circulating strains are not an exact match, the vaccine may reduce the severity of the illness or may help prevent flu-related complications.