Articles - H1N1 Information

	The 2009 H1N1 flu (also known as "swine flu") is a new influenza virus that is highly contagious. It was first detected in the United States in April 2009, and is expected to continue to affect people for the rest of 2009 and possibly into 2010. It is very similar to the seasonal flu.
	The symptoms of H1N1 flu include: fever or shaking chills cough sore throat body aches headache extreme tiredness (fatigue)
	Some people also experience vomiting and diarrhea.
	Most people who have become ill with the H1N1 virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.
	If you feel ill, experts recommend that you should stay home and avoid contact with other people even if your symptoms are mild. Avoid activities such as working, going to school, traveling, shopping, and going to social events or public gatherings, and try not to leave your home except to seek medical care. By staying home you decrease the risk of infecting others.
	Treat your symptoms with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. And stay home until you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
	If you’re severely ill or at high risk for flu complications, contact your personal physician or practitioner. He or she will determine whether H1N1 flu testing or antiviral treatment is needed.
	Get medical care immediately if you or a family member:
	has difficulty breathing or chest pain has purple or blue discoloration of the lips is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing or absence of urination. has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) is less responsive than normal or becomes confused
	Call us right away if you have:
	a deep cough with a lot of mucus or a cough lasting more than three weeks a very sore throat and a hard time swallowing severe ear pain, sudden hearing loss, or discharge from your ear a fever with a stiff neck or a severe headache a high fever (more than 102 degrees) gotten better, then gotten worse again
	People may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms up to seven days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, may be contagious for longer periods. The CDC is studying the virus to learn more and we’ll provide additional information as soon as it’s available.
	If you have the H1N1 flu, you should stay home and limit contact with others for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you’ve been symptom-free without a fever for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
	If you have been exposed to someone with H1N1 and are not having symptoms you do not have to seek medical treatment unless you are at "high risk" of developing complications. You should monitor your health everyday and take everyday precautions including washing your hands often. During the current pandemic the CDC recommends prophylactic treatment with antiviral medications only for people at high risk for serious flu-related complications (this includes, but is not limited to, those people with asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and impaired immune function, or pregnant women.) The CDC is currently recommending treatment of flu-like symptoms with anti-virals to treat severe influenza (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications. If you feel you are at high-risk and have been exposed or are symptomatic you must schedule a visit with your provider to determine if anti-virals are indicated.
	Other resources for H1N1 flu information:
National
	U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) (toll free)
Colorado
	Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Colorado HELP hotline: 1-877-462-2911 (toll free)
	For the latest information on the H1N1 vaccine availability please visit www.cdphe.state.co.us or call the Colorado HELP hotline: 1-877-462-2911 (toll free). This is where to look for the latest availability and population recommendations.