Many South Jersey families have concerns about the current H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak and what they can do in their homes and communities to stay healthy and avoid catching the flu. The following page has important health information, resources and best practices for protecting your family.

This page contains critical information about the current H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak and what Americans can do in their homes and communities to stay healthy and avoid catching the flu. The New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services is also a resource for the latest developments in the state.

All of the information below is provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and available at www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu

H1N1 (Swine Flu) — Basic Facts: What It Is and What to Do

Q: What is H1N1 (Swine Flu)?

A: It's a flu that occurs in pigs, and in rare cases is passed from pigs to humans. The strain now circulating is worrisome because it can pass from person to person. Like human flu, the effects of swine flu can range from mild to severe.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: Symptoms are similar to those of a standard flu: fever, as well as combinations of cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some cases have also included reports of vomiting or diarrhea.

Q: Those sound like seasonal flu symptoms. How is this flu different?

A: H1N1 may cause more severe vomiting and diarrhea. In rare cases, flu virus attacks the lungs, a complication that can be fatal. This strain also differs because it is so new. As a result, no one has natural immunity to it, unlike with seasonal flu.

Q: What should I do if I feel sick?

A: People with ordinary flu symptoms don't need to seek emergency care, officials said. Health officials recommend seeking urgent medical help for children when flu symptoms also include difficulty breathing, bluish skin color, fever with rash, and symptoms that begin to improve then return with fever and a worse cough. In adults, serious warning signs include difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, dizziness, confusion and persistent vomiting.

Q: Can H1N1 be treated with drugs?

A: Two drugs, sold under the brand names Tamiflu and Relenza, may reduce the H1N1 severity and duration. Most U.S. patients have recovered without the drugs. Both of these medications have also been approved to reduce the risk of contracting the seasonal flu. But, unlike a vaccine, they don't provide long-lasting protection. So their preventive use is limited to certain, narrow circumstances. The two drugs, which are included in the federal government's pandemic stockpile, are available only with a doctor's prescription.

Q: Does my flu shot protect against the H1N1?

A: The CDC says the seasonal flu vaccine is "unlikely to provide protection" against H1N1. The agency has created a "seed vaccine" tailored to H1N1.

Q: How should I protect myself and my family?

A: If you have no symptoms, be preventive: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, and discard used tissues immediately. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you feel sick, stay home from work and school. Go to the hospital if you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

If you know you have been exposed to H1N1, get lots of rest, and talk to your doctor about the antiviral drugs oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs may make the illness milder and work best if started within two days of getting sick.

Additional Web Resources on H1N1 are available at:

World Health Organization
Pandemicflu.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Pan American Health Organization
CDC: Swine Flu and You
American Medical Association
Timeline of Flu Pandemics (National Institutes of Health)