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From the Hawaii State Department of Health Communications Office - H1N1 FAQs 5-12-09

 

H1N1 Influenza: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. What is H1N1 flu (swine flu)?

H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza (flu) virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus.

 

2. Is the new H1N1 flu here in Hawai‘i?

Yes. H1N1 flu cases have been reported in Hawai‘i. For the most updated case count of laboratory confirmed H1N1 infections in Hawai‘i and the rest of the United States, visit the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

3. Is this new H1N1 flu contagious?

Yes. This virus is contagious and can spread from person to person much like seasonal flu.

 

4. What are the signs and symptoms of the new H1N1 flu?

The new H1N1 flu illness is similar to the regular flu. The symptoms include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Body aches

• Headache

• Chills

• Fatigue or tiredness

• Some patients also have diarrhea and vomiting.

Like the regular flu, the new H1N1 flu may cause chronic medical conditions to get worse.

 

5. Is there a vaccine against the new H1N1 flu?

Scientists are working on making a vaccine for this new H1N1 flu, but it may not be ready for several months.

6. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

Although there is no vaccine available right now to protect against the new H1N1 flu, there are things you can do to keep from getting sick:


• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue (Kleenex) when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners (hand gels) also work.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

 

7. Will the flu vaccine I received this year protect me from the new H1N1 flu?

No. The new H1N1 flu virus is different from the viruses in the regular flu vaccine it is not expected to give protection against it. It is still a good idea to get the regular flu vaccine every year because it can protect against seasonal influenza viruses

 

8. How do you catch new H1N1 flu?

You can catch the new H1N1 flu in two ways:

      • By contact with a person infected and still contagious with the new H1N1 flu. Person-to-person spread is believed to happen in the same way as regular flu: by coughing or sneezing of people sick with H1N1 flu. People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

• By contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with the new H1N1 flu virus.

 

9. How long is a person with new H1N1 flu contagious?

An adult with H1N1 flu may be contagious a day before they show symptoms of being sick, and 7 days after becoming sick. Children may be contagious for 10 days after getting sick with H1N1 flu.

 

10. What should I do if I get sick?

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact your doctor. Your doctor will help decide if you need flu testing or treatment.

 

You should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

 

11. What warning signs should I watch for?

If children are sick and have any of the following signs, they should see a doctor immediately:

• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or not interacting (not talking or moving)


• Being very cranky, child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms get better but then come back with fever and are more serious

• Bad cough

• Fever with a rash

 

In adults, the emergency signs include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen (belly)

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

Adults with symptoms listed above should see a doctor immediately.

 

12. Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu?

Yes. Prescription antiviral medications (oseltamivir/Tamiflu or zanamivir/Relenza) are available to treat swine-origin flu, but most illnesses seen in the United States have so far been mild and not everyone may need to be treated with these antiviral medicines. Your doctor will be able to help decide if you should take these medicines.

 

Medicines such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) and ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil) can help make people with flu feel better. If you have a medical condition such as liver, stomach, or kidney problems or take certain medicines (such as blood thinners like coumadin) you should talk with your doctor before using these medicines.

 

Children should avoid taking aspirin while ill with the flu. Talk with your child’s doctor if they take aspirin for medical reasons.

 

13. Are these antiviral medicines available in Hawai‘i?

Yes. Two main sources of anti-influenza medications are available. These medicines are available through prescription if a doctor believes their patient should be treated with the antiviral medication. (There is no ongoing shortage of treatment medications.)

 

14. Is it safe for children to attend school or childcare?

Yes. School closures are not currently being recommended unless staff or faculty absenteeism affects a school’s ability to function safely. Children who are sick with a fever and cough or sore throat should stay home from school until they are well.

 

15. Is it safe for adults to go to work?

Yes. If additional cases of new flu are seen in Hawai‘i, your employer may have plans for you to change your work schedule. If you become sick, especially with a fever and cough or sore throat, you should stay home from work until you have recovered. If your doctor suspects that you may have new H1N1 flu you will be asked to stay home for at least seven days.


 

16. Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?

No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new H1N1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

 

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NEWS RELEASE

 

October 4, 2008

 

Contact person: Quince Mento, Civil Defense Administrator at 935-0031

 

County Unveils New Mass Emergency Notification System

 

The Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency has just acquired a new Mass Emergency Notification System, which allows for County agencies to easily notify the public in the event of emergencies.

 

The City Watch is an electronic notification system that can notify residents about evacuations or other emergency measures via phone or email.

 

“This new system allows us more flexibility and speed to notify communities of an impending or imminent emergency, with appropriate measures for residents to follow,” said Civil Defense Administrator Quince Mento.  It will supplement the more traditional means of communicating with the public such as radio broadcasts.

 

The system was purchased by State Civil Defense and was given to the County as a pilot project, Mento said.  The system uses maps with registered residents’ phone numbers and addresses to target specific communities on the island.

 

“We can use a computer generated map to focus on say, Waikoloa or Puako, to alert residents to evacuate in the event of a brush fire,” Mento said.  The system once activated sends residents registered on the system a brief voice and email message.  “This system will only be activated in major emergencies,” Mento said.

 

Hawai’i County residents need to register for City Watch notification messages by either mailing their contact information to: County of Hawai'i Civil Defense Agency, 920 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720 or online at http://www.citywatchonline.com/CSBSignUp/HawaiiSignUp.asp .  To register, please give your name, street address (no P.O. boxes, please), city, zip code, home phone, cell phone, cell phone carrier and email address.  The service is free to all residents.

 

The pilot stage of the project will be free to the County, and subsequent years the County will pay an annual fee of approximately $40,000.  The system is used in numerous communities, notably in California amid the recent spate of wildfires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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