Frequently Asked Questions

What is the H1N1 Flu?
H1N1 influenza is a variation of a new and emerging H1N1 virus first detected in people in the United States in April of 2009.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the H1N1 flu virus had spread to enough countries to be considered a global pandemic.  This means that this new H1N1 flu virus, which people have little or no immunity, spreads easily from one person to another.  This pandemic stage does not mean that the disease is deadlier or more severe, just that is has spread to more countries.
The virus was first known as the “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America.  Currently circulating in the United States are two strains of flu, seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine) flu.  A third, highly lethal H5N1 (Avian) flu is being closely tracked overseas.

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What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of the H1N1 Influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and include fever, body aches, a lack of energy, headaches, fatigue and coughing.  Additionally, some people report having a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Symptoms of Flu

Seasonal Flu	H1N1 (Swine) Flu
All types of flu can cause: Fever Coughing and/or sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headaches and/or body aches Chills Fatigue	Same as seasonal flu, but symptoms may be more severe. Fever Coughing and/or sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headaches and/or body aches Chills Fatigue In addition to the above symptoms, a number of H1N1 (swine) flu cases reported: Vomiting Diarrhea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How do I know if I have H1N1 Influenza?
Since the symptoms for H1N1 are similar to symptoms for seasonal flu, your healthcare provider may/may not collect a nasopharyngeal swab and send it to a laboratory for confirmation.  But not all patients will be tested unless you are in a high risk category or if it would alter treatment options.

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When should I call my healthcare provider or go to the Hospital?
If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cough or sneeze into your elbow.  Afterward, wash your hands.  If you have severe symptoms like those listed below, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or your family become ill and exhibit any of the symptoms below, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
In children, emergency warning signs that may need urgent medical attention include:

• Fever greater than 100 in combination with other symptoms
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not urinating or no tears when crying
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Being very sleepy or confused, not waking up or interacting
• Being so irritable that nothing makes the child feel better
• Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach area
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Flulike symptoms improve but then return with fever and more severe cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that may need urgent medical attention include:

• Fever greater than 100 in combination with other symptoms
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flulike symptoms improve but then return with fever and more severe cough

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Taking Care of Yourself If You Are Sick
If you have flulike symptoms, you should stay home, follow your providers’ orders, and watch for signs that you may need immediate medical attention.

• The CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever (100°F or 37.8°C) is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you.  This means, you should stay home until you are without fever for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®.   If you are sick you should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.   
• Avoid close contact with others, especially those who might easily get the flu, such as people age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women, young children, and infants.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after using tissues or coughing/sneezing into your elbow.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with the crook of your elbow.
• Wear a facemask when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.  Apply a facemask if you go to the doctor’s office to help reduce exposures to other patients and staff.
• Stay hydrated.  Drink clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte beverages made for infants.
• Rest.

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How do I prevent my family or myself from catching the H1N1 virus?
Prevention is your best defense! 

• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Teach your family to do the same. When washing with soap and water, wash for at least 20 seconds. When using hand sanitizers make sure they contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Have everyone in your household wash their hands often.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of your elbow or sleeve. After blowing your nose or coughing into a tissue, properly dispose of the tissue. Then, make sure to wash your hands.
• Don’t share food, utensils or beverages with others.
• Keep frequently-touched common surfaces clean
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes and keep your hands away from your face because that’s how viruses enter into your body.
• Stay 6 feet away from someone who has a respiratory infection when possible. Individuals can be infectious for seven days from onset of symptoms, but are most infectious until 24 hours after fever has passed.
• Stay home when you are sick with fever, cough or sore throat.  Stay home until symptoms have resolved for 48 hours. Above you note to stay home for 24 hours after fever has broke and here you say 24 hours
• Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.

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For more information:
Elliot On-Call at 663-4567
Swine Flu Hotline 1-888-330-6764 ( 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) presented by NH DHHS
Or visit:

www.dhhs.nh.gov

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FAQ'S FOR ELLIOT PHYSICIAN PATIENTS

Will Elliot Physician Network or Elliot Physician Specialty Services be offering the H1N1 vaccine?
 Yes, during H1N1 vaccination clinics.

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Will my provider have the H1N1 vaccine available in his/her office? 
We will be having limited supply of H1N1 vaccine in some offices, but vaccine will be administered primarily in our H1N1 clinics.

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Can anyone attend one of these clinics?
No.  You or your loved one:

• Must be a patient of EPN/EPS and have scheduled an appointment
• Must fall into the NH DHHS vaccinate group that includes:
• Pregnant women
• Healthcare workers/EMS with direct patient contact
• All children 6mos to 4 years old
• Persons 4years to 24 years with medical conditions
• Persons caring for or living with infant <6months old (including partners of pregnant women)

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Will I need an appointment?
Yes. The offices will actively reach out to those patients identified and schedule them into one of the many clinics.

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If I can not attend any of the H1N1 vaccine clinics will I be able to receive the vaccine in the office or in the Emergency Department or Urgent Care?
The H1N1 vaccine will not be available in the ED or Urgent Care. The offices will have some limited supply of vaccine for their patients who cannot attend the clinics.

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Will I be able to receive the seasonal flu vaccine at a H1N1 vaccine clinic?
No, only the H1N1 vaccine will be administered during these clinics.

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Will there be any charge for the H1N1 vaccine?
The vaccine will be provided free of charge however there will be an administration fee.

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