H1N1 Swine Flu is contagious and can spread from person to person. The virus spreads in the same way regular seasonal influenza viruses spreads: person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
Illness with the new H1N1 swine flu virus has ranged from mild to severe. While many people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
Who is at greatest risk?
People at greatest risk for H1N1 swine flu infection or transmission include children and young adults, caregivers of very young children, pregnant women, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.
How can you protect yourself and your family?
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it, and wash your hands with soap and water.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water often, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.*
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to prevent you from making others sick.
- While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If you are sick and share a common space with other household members in your home, wear a facemask if you are within six feet of others, if available and tolerable, to help prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Follow public health advice regarding school dismissals, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
- If you don’t have one yet, consider developing a family emergency plan as a precaution, so you don’t have to make trips to the store while you are ill. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, and other essential supplies.
What should you do if you get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with H1N1 swine flu and you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: What to Do If You Get Sick”
Additional Resources:
- FDA Warns of Unapproved and Illegal H1N1 Drug Products Purchased Over the Internet(Source: Food and Drug Administration)
- State and National Statistics:
- National H1N1 Hospitalization Rates (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
CDC reports on 2009 H1N1-related deaths and hospitalizations by age group in the United States from August 30, 2009 through October 10, 2009. - National Interactive Flu Map (Source: Flu.gov)
This site includes flu information (resources, news monitoring, disease reporting, RSS, Twitter, and YouTube) for each state.
- National H1N1 Hospitalization Rates (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Florida Flu Information Line – 1-877-352-3581
- This line is available 24/7 for recorded messages in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole, and operators are available 8am to 8pm eastern standard time.
- The purpose of this line is to provide answers for frequently asked questions regarding seasonal and H1N1 Swine flu
- Call your healthcare provider for medical guidance
- Find a local Flu Clinic Location: Flu Clinic Location
- Contact your county health department: Find your local County Health Department
- Locate a healthcare provider, if you do not have one http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s general overview of H1N1 Swine Flu: H1N1 Flu & You
- An overview of the Florida Department of Health’s efforts to address H1N1 Swine Flu in our state: FACT SHEET: Florida Department of Health and H1N1 Swine Flu (September 4, 2009)
- From the left side of this web page, select a topic area for additional helpful resources.