Both novel H1N1 influenza and seasonal flu are febrile respiratory illnesses. Influenza viruses mutate frequently, with different strains circulating from year to year.
Influenza can cause symptoms similar to the common cold, but flu is a much more serious illness. Colds tend to develop gradually, while the flu tends to start very suddenly. Colds generally do not result in the serious health problems that can be seen with flu, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, hospitalizations, or death.
Symptoms of seasonal flu are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. H1N1 symptoms are the same, but may also include vomiting and diarrhea.
Seasonal/H1N1 Flu Webinar
A 40-minute webinar, “Fact or Fiction: Information on H1N1 & Seasonal Flu,” is now online. This self-paced module is for healthcare personnel interested in learning more about influenza transmission, vaccinations, infection control, and treatment. The program, produced by NYSNA, is presented by Eileen Avery, MS, RN, and Roni Cummings, MSN, RN.
The fee for this webinar is $10. 0.8 contact hours will be awarded to participants who view the entire presentation, pass an exam, and submit an evaluation. Certificates will be e-mailed (please allow 1 to 2 weeks) to those who complete the requirements.
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is most widespread during the winter and early spring. It is estimated that an average of 36,000 people die each year from flu complications, most of them 65 years or older. The novel H1N1 influenza virus is a new strain that is being seen more frequently in children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years.
Wash your hands frequently, use sanitizing gel, and boost your immunity by eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of rest. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to minimize the opportunity for viruses and bacteria to enter your body.
If you are working in a healthcare setting with patients with suspected or confirmed influenza, you should provide care in a respiratory isolation room or in rooms of cohorted patients. You should limit the amount of contact time with the infected person (without affecting patient care). If feasible, a surgical mask should be worn by the patient when you are providing care or transporting the patient out of their room. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces should also be part of a total infection prevention program. As a last line of defense, use a fit-tested N95 (or better) respirator, for which you have been medically cleared and trained, that prevents you from breathing in aerosolized virus particles.
First of all, stay home. If you have a fever, take antipyretics to keep your fever down, drink ample amounts of fluids, and get plenty of rest. Children should not be given aspirin or aspirin-based products. It is not necessary to go to the emergency department unless you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, sudden dizziness, or your symptoms improve but then return with fever or worse cough.
You can infect others one day prior to onset of symptoms and 5 to 7 days after the first symptoms appeared. It is recommended that you stay home from work or school until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
This recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications. This guidance does not apply to healthcare settings where the exclusion period should be continued for 7 days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer.
Two prescription medications are used to treat the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®). If antiviral drugs are in short supply, they should be given first to people who have been hospitalized or are at high risk of severe illness from flu. The drugs work best if given within two days of onset, but may be given later if illness is severe or for those at a high risk for complications. Antiviral drugs are not recommended as a preventive measure.