H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

 Suscribe to receive e-mail updates 

 GENERAL INFORMATION

Most people with H1N1 flu experience mild to moderate flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue). H1N1 flu has remained active during the normally flu-free summer months and continues to cause illness, hospitalizations and deaths throughout the US, including California and Yolo County. Preparation is underway for a potentially severe upcoming flu season. Preparation efforts include H1N1 vaccine development and distribution planning. 

Everyone should follow these 4 simple flu prevention tips:

1. STAY HOME IF YOU GET SICK and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
2. COVER YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
3. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
4. AVOID CONTACT with sick people whenever possible. 

 A Video Message from the Health Officer

Click on the image above to view a video message from the Health Officer

NOVEL H1N1 VACCINE INFORMATION

Resources:

• Healthy Holidays - prevent the spread of the flu during the holidays - NEW
• Preparing for the Flu Season (Español, Russian)
• What Pregnant Women Need to Know About Novel H1N1 Flu Fact Sheet
• H1N1 Public Presentation (Slideshow only) (Español)
• H1N1 Public Presentation (MS PowerPoint with notes)
• Frequently Asked Questions from H1N1 Community Meetings

Links:

• About H1N1 Go to the CDC web site for federal H1N1 developments and guidance
• CDC's list of Frequently Asked Questions 
• H1N1 in California Go to the California Dept. of Public Health web site for statewide developments, including number of hospitalized and fatal H1N1 cases in California and Yolo County
• What you should know about H1N1...
• Caring for a Sick Person at Home
• People with Cardiovascular Disease (heart disease, stroke
• People with HIV
• Pregnant Women
• Mask & Respirator Use (non healthcare settings) Masks and respirators are not recommended in non-healthcare settings. Respirators (e.g., N95) are recommended for persons for whom contact with flu cases is unavoidable (e.g., caregivers, healthcare workers). Facemasks are recommended for ill persons when they are around other people to prevent spreading H1N1 to others.
• When Can People with H1N1 Return to Work, School, and Other Social Gatherings? CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) In The News:

• Feds put focus on swine flu vaccines  (SF Chronicle 8/26/09)
• Lessons from the Flu of '57 (Washington Post 8/25/09)  This is a great, easy to read article from the Washington Post putting flu epidemics into a historical context.

Clinical Guidance (CDPH): Go to this web site for a complete listing of current state and federal H1N1 guidance. Selected links from this page regarding clinical guidance for specific patient groups are also listed below:

• Infants & Children
• Obstetric Settings
• Pregnant Women
• Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
• Patients with Asthma - NEW
• Patients with Arthritis - NEW
• Patients with HIV
• Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations ACIP recommends a single dose of PPSV23 for all people 65 years and older and for persons 2 to 64 years of age with certain high-risk conditions. People in these groups are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease as well as serious complications from influenza. Use of PPSV23 among people without current indications for vaccination is not recommended at this time.
• Yolo County Patient Algorithm
• CDC Patient Algorithm

 Antiviral Medications

• Antiviral Use Recommendations (CDC) Interim guidance on the use of antiviral agents for treatment and chemoprophylaxis of H1N1 flu.
• Antiviral Medication Information (FDA) Includes fact sheets, and emergency use authorization.

 Vaccine for H1N1

• H1N1 Vaccine Q&A (CDC)

  Infection Control

• Influenza Prevention Materials Includes posters, signs, brochures and videos.
• When Can H1N1 Patients Return to Work, School, and Other Social Gatherings? CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Respirator Use in Occupational Healthcare Settings In the occupational healthcare setting, respiratory protection is recommended. Workers who are at increased risk of severe illness from influenza, and who are caring for a patient with known, probable, or suspected novel H1N1 or ILI, may consider temporary reassignment to avoid exposure.
• Current Infection Control Guidance (CDC) - NEW                                                   This guidance applies to healthcare personnel working in the following settings:  acute care hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, physician’s offices, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, and home healthcare agencies.  It also includes those working in clinical settings within non-healthcare institutions, such as school nurses or personnel staffing clinics in correctional facilities. The term “healthcare personnel” includes not only employees of the organization or agency, but also contractors, clinicians, volunteers, students, trainees, clergy, and others who may come in contact with patients.
• Patients with H1N1
• Healthcare Settings
• Hospitalized Patients
• Outpatient Hemodoalysis Settings
• Antimicrobials Recommended for Use Against Influenza A (EPA)
• 3M Guidance on Disinfecting Respirators

Laboratory & Testing Contact the Yolo County Public Health Laboratory at (530) 666-8644 during normal business hours regarding H1N1 testing.

NOTE: H1N1 testing is no longer recommended for patients with mild to moderate flu-like illness in outpatient settings.

Specimen Submittal Form

NP Swab Specimen Collection Instructions

Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests and H1N1 (Interim Guidance) Since false negative results can occur, if clinical suspicion of influenza is high in a patient who tests negative by RIDT (or if RIDT is not offered), empiric antiviral therapy should be administered, if appropriate, and infection control measures implemented.

Interim Recommendations for Clinical Use of Influenza Diagnostic Tests During the 2009-10 Influenza Season (CDC) 

SCHOOLS

• H1N1 Guidance for School Officials Provides guidance to help decrease the spread of flu among students and school staff during the 2009-2010 school year. This document expands upon earlier school guidance documents by providing a menu of tools that school and health officials can choose from based on conditions in their area. It recommends actions to take this school year and suggests strategies to use if CDC finds that the flu starts causing more severe disease. The guidance also provides a checklist for making decisions at the local level. CDPH has endorsed this guidance document for schools in California.
• CDPH Guidance for School (K-12) Responses to Influenza During the 2009-10 School Year
• Preparing for Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools K-12
• CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year
• Other Respiratory Illness Prevention Materials for Schools
• Hand Hygiene CDPH recommends use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers by students in California schools. Studies have shown that the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers can decrease rates of illness and absenteeism among students and has the potential to reduce teacher absenteeism, school operating costs, healthcare costs and parental absenteeism. It is possible that effective use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers might reduce the need for student dismissals.

EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES

• Yolo County Health Officer Letter to Employers (Español)
• Employee Self Evaluation Tool (Español) This checklist will help employees determine if they should stay home sick or go to work.
• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers To Plan and Respond to the 2009–2010 Influenza Season
• Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business
• Cal/OSHA H1N1 Guidance for Employers and Employees
• Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 (NIOSH)