Update on H1N1 (swine) Influenza

  • Published
  • By Maj. Cheryl Magnuson
  • 6 AMDS Public Health Flight Commander
MacDill AFB, Fla. --  H1N1 Influenza (formerly called Swine Flu) is present in the local area and is likely here to stay. Since late April, H1N1 Flu has spread from Mexico into the United States and around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Global Influenza Pandemic in June. 

H1N1 Flu will continue to cause disease in the local area until a vaccine becomes available later this year. The H1N1 vaccine will probably be a series of two shots given 21 - 28 days apart. The H1N1 vaccine will be given in addition to the regular seasonal Flu vaccine. Seasonal Flu vaccine will be administered as usual beginning in the early Fall. 

Influenza is spread from person to person via the respiratory system (coughing/sneezing). Flu may also spread by close or direct contact with an infected person and by touching something that has been contaminated with the virus (from someone coughing or sneezing on it) and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. A person may be able to infect another person starting one day before their symptoms begin. Affected persons continue to be infectious for about a week after becoming ill; young children may be infectious for 10 days or more. The time from being exposed to the virus until becoming ill averages three to four days but can range from one to seven days or possibly a little longer. 

H1N1 influenza typically produces relatively mild symptoms but can be much more severe in pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions and very young children and babies. Children and young adults (4 to 24 years) appear to be the most affected population. Most patients recover from the flu in about a week. 

You can prevent the disease by following standard flu avoidance measures:
- Wash hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching hands to face (especially eyes, nose and mouth)
- Disinfect common surfaces such as countertops, door handles, phones, grocery carts, etc (use regular household cleaning agents such as Lysol or Clorox)
- Avoid unnecessary personal contact especially with persons who are obviously ill
- Practice "social distancing" - stay three to six feet away from most people
- Cover cough with tissue and dispose in trash; if tissue is not available, sneeze into upper sleeve - do not cough into hands
- Stay home and away from others when not feeling well

Call 828 - CARE (2273) for a medical evaluation if you are experiencing symptoms of the Flu to include:
- Fever (greater than 100° F)
- Respiratory signs (cough, sore throat, chest pain/congestion, runny nose)
- Body aches, headache, chills, severe fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea

When entering the MTF, proceed to an infection Control Station to pick up and put on a mask and use hand sanitizer (a station is located near the Liberty Clinic check-in desk, another is near the pharmacy waiting area). If you have the flu, plan on staying home until you feel better and no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours. This may take five to 10 days. 

Get the best, most up-to-date information. We are learning more about this new Flu all the time and recommendations may change based on new data. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has much useful information on its website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

Also check out the Force Health Protection Influenza website: http://fhp.osd.mil/aiWatchboard/. The Florida state health department launched a flu hotline. Health officials will be answering calls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
The hotline number is 877-352-3581 http://www.doh.state.fl.us/DEMO/php/FluInfo.htm.