Seasonal flu can present as positive strains of Flu A and Flu B. These strains occur seasonally by themselves or combined. This virus has been circulating in human populations for several seasons, allowing people to build up immunities to them. Common signs and symptoms of seasonal flu include but are not limited to fever greater than 102.5F, cough, sore throat, aches and pains, and congestion. A seasonal flu vaccine is available through local and state providers.

The influenza viruses are always changing. Influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended. The seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against H1N1 flu, but is important in protecting you from other flu viruses that can make you as sick or sicker.

Novel H1N1 flu (aka H1N1 flu or Swine flu) usually presents as a strain of Flu A, however there have been cases reported of positive H1N1 flu that do not present as Flu A.

This respiratory virus passes from person to person without contact to pigs or eating pork.

Novel H1N1 is a respiratory illness that spread the same way the seasonal flu spreads. This is through people infected with the virus that are coughing and sneezing. It can be spread by touching something with flu viruses on it, such as a tissue or doorknob and then touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

The name now being used is Novel H1N1 flu. Most people do not have immunity to this new strain of flu. Common signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu include but are not limited to fever greater than 102.5F, cough, sore throat, aches and pains, congestion, runny nose, headache, chills, and fatigue.

People may only have one or two symptoms or may have many. People can infect others with the H1N1 flu even before they show symptoms, and they remain contagious for 7 or more days after becoming sick.

There is a vaccine under development for H1N1 flu that is expected to be available later in the fall. The seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against H1N1 flu but is important in protecting you from other flu viruses that can make you as sick or sicker.

Pandemic flu occurs when a new flu virus emerges that can infect and be easily spread among individuals because they do no have immunity.

In a pandemic, people in a very large geographic area are affected.

The extent and severity of the pandemic depends on the specific virus. So far, the novel H1N1 virus has not been especially severe. It is expected that novel H1N1 will be one of the viruses that circulates widely this flu season (October through May) along with other seasonal viruses. The CDC is no longer recommending that schools close. If the situation changes local independent school districts will notify the public through the local news media just as they do with weather closures.

Everyone should have an emergency plan and a disaster supply kit, with enough food and water to last for up to two weeks.

For more information: www. texasprepares.org (English) or www.texasprepara.org (Spanish)

As for any flu illness, it is recommended that you stay home, from work, school, running errands, and limit close contact until your fever has been gone for 24 hours, without taking fever reducing medications.

If you work in a hospital, health care setting, or around people at high risk of complications from flu, stay home for 7 days after symptoms began or until symptoms are gone, whichever is longer. If you have mild symptoms, do not call your healthcare provider or visit the hospital emergency room. Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take fever reducing medications if needed.

WARNING: DO NOT give aspirin or aspirin containing medications to children and youth 18 years and younger.

If you are at risk for complications of influenza, call you health care provider.

Follow your provider’s advice.

Most people with congestion and mild fever do not have H1N1flu.

Most people with diarrhea and vomiting are probably not H1N1 flu, although some with confirmed H1N1 have had such symptoms.

The following groups are at greater risk for complications for H1N1 and seasonal flu:

Children younger than 5 years and children under 2 are especially vulnerable.

Pregnant women.

Adult and children with certain chronic medical conditions including but not limited to chronic lung problems asthma, heart, liver, blood, nervous system, muscular or metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Adults and children who have immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, including that caused by medications such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy, or disease such as HIV/ AIDS.

Children ages months to 18 years who are receiving long term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reyes syndrome after influenza virus infection.

Persons 50 years old or older, particularly 65 years or older.

People who live in setting such as nursing homes, residential schools, and jails.

Severe Symptoms include: Adults:

Difficulty breathing.

Purple or blue discoloration of the lips.

Vomiting and unable to keep liquids down.

Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination.

Seizures or uncontrolled convulsions.

Loss of consciousness. Alteration in thinking.

Children:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing.

Bluish or gray skin color.

Not drinking enough fluids.

Not waking up or not interacting.

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held.

Flu-like symptoms that improve then return with fever and worse cough.

Fever and a rash.

Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, and in infants, a lack of tears when they cry.

If severe symptoms develop call your health care provider. If the health care provider is not available, go to the emergency room.

You can protect yourself from all flu strains by washing your hands frequently with soap and water. You can also use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. You should also avoid touching your eye, nose, or mouth. Stay away from people who are sick, especially if they have fever cough or sore throat. Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

Most importantly practice good hand-washing technique, use alcohol based hand sanitizer frequently, and cover your sneeze or cough by using a tissue, or your sleeve.