Frequently Asked Questions

This information is available on the Virginia Department of Health website.

Virginia Department of Health
New (H1N1) Virus (Swine Influenza)

What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?

Novel H1N1 (previously referred to as “swine flu”) is a new influenza
virus causing illness in people. First detected in people in the United
States in April 2009, this virus spreads from person-to-person
worldwide, in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses
spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are similar to
the regular flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache,
chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Severe illnesses
and death have occurred as a result of illness associated with this
virus.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

A vaccine may be ready in the fall. A separate vaccine is needed to protect against seasonal influenza. To prevent the spread of germs:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as that can spread the virus
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, the
  federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you
  stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should end without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Avoid others while ill.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures and avoiding crowds
• You
  may want to now buy a supply of over-the-counter medicines,
  alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items so that you
  are prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home.

Who is most at risk for novel H1N1 flu?

The
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that
certain groups receive the novel H1N1 vaccine first when it becomes
available. These priority populations include pregnant women, people
who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health
care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages
of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of
age with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, other
lung diseases, heart disease, or a compromised immune system.

How many people have died from novel H1N1 in Virginia?

As of Aug. 31, there have been three deaths reported in Virginia that
are known to be associated with the virus. All three patients had
underlying health condition that put them at greater risk of
complications from flu. As the flu season unfolds, we expect more
deaths. We may see more flu-related deaths compared to previous years.
Annually, more than 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. This
number may increase as we are currently experiencing a pandemic with
a novel strain of virus.

If I get the novel H1N1 virus, can I get it again

Influenza viruses frequently change their characteristics as they pass
from person to person. That is the reason why we must have a new
seasonal flu vaccine every year as vaccine makers must adjust the
vaccine to match the viruses circulating. Whether the novel H1N1 virus
will undergo significant changes is unknown. If it does, there would be
some chance of becoming infected with the newer, changed virus.

What is the incubation period after exposure?

About 1-4 days. After a week has passed, it’s not likely you will get sick.

If my immigration status is in question, can I get medical help?

The Virginia Department of Health will not ask about citizenship or
immigration status. You do not need your Social Security number to
receive service.

When and where will vaccination clinics be?

 The novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall in a
combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local
health departments, health care provider offices, schools, and other
private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces.

Can I get the seasonal vaccine and the novel H1N1 vaccine at the same time?

It is anticipated that both vaccines may be administered on the same
day. However, the seasonal vaccine will be ready earlier than the novel
H1N1 vaccine. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu
vaccine as soon as it is available.

Are there medicines to treat the new H1N1 virus?

Most people recover from novel H1N1 flu without needing special
treatment. However, some people should talk to their doctor about
whether they may need antiviral medications. Antivirals don’t cure you
of flu but they can lessen the duration and severity of symptoms. The
CDC recommends the use of antivirals for treatment as well as
prevention of infection in some specific situations. Influenza
antiviral drugs work best when started soon after symptoms appear,
usually within two days. You need a prescription to obtain these
medications. People who have lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema,
diabetes, heart disease, have impaired immune systems (for instance,
are on chemotherapy, long-term steroid treatment, or have HIV/AIDS),
have neuromotor disease (such as cerebral palsy), other chronic medical
conditions or are pregnant should discuss their possible need for
antiviral medications promptly if they become ill with influenza-like
symptoms.

How can I get antivirals and how long do I take them?

VDH does not recommend that healthy people seek prescriptions for
antivirals. Misuse may lessen effectiveness in fighting the virus. If
concerned about flu-like symptoms, contact your doctor who will
determine whether antiviral medications are appropriate for you.

What if my pharmacy doesn’t have antivirals?

Based on our discussions with pharmacies and distributors, commercial
supplies in Virginia are adequate. Antivirals are routinely available
at pharmacies because these drugs are used to treat seasonal flu in
people at higher risk for complications of seasonal flu.

I am a health care provider. How do I get testing kits?

Diagnostic testing for novel H1N1 is now available from private
laboratories. Please contact the laboratory you typically use and they
should be able to help you locate a source for diagnostic testing.
Public health surveillance testing through the state public health
laboratory (the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services) is
primarily done through our network of Sentinel Physicians and Sentinel
Hospitals and is not available for diagnostic purposes.

Are the use of facemasks and respirators recommended?

Facemasks may be considered in some situations. The most common reason
would be when a person with influenza-like illness finds it necessary
to go out in public (for example, they live alone and need to pick up
medication). In that instance, it would be recommended that they wear a
surgical mask to decrease the risk to the public. In the occupational
health care setting, respiratory protection is recommended. 

What can schools do to prevent the spread of flu?

• Assure availability of hand washing supplies and provide
  opportunities for students to wash their hands before eating or
  drinking and after using the bathroom
• Encourage students and staff to cough and sneeze into a tissue. Or use an elbow.
• Remind teachers, staff, and students to wash their hands as often as needed
• Send
  sick students, teachers, and staff home and advise them to stay until
  at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever
  (without the use of fever-reducing medicine)
• Clean surfaces and items frequently touched such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, or pens
• Move
  sick students, teachers, and staff to a separate room at school until
  they can be sent home. Limit the number of staff who take care of the
  sick person and provide a surgical mask for the sick person to wear if
  he or she can tolerate it.
• Have personal protective
  equipment such as masks available and ensure that school nurses and
  others caring for the sick wear the equipment
• Encourage
  early medical evaluation for sick students and staff at higher risk of
  complications from flu. People at high risk who get sick will benefit
  from early treatment with antiviral medicines.
• Stay in regular contact with local public health officials

How is the Virginia Department of Health helping to slow the spread of the new H1N1 virus among children and young adults?

We are working with the Virginia Department of Education to provide
guidance to colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher
education and K-12 schools to protect students, faculty and staff. We
promote the current CDC recommendations and communicate with campus
health centers and local health districts. For more information, go to http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/influenza/.
We also work with the Department of Education to provide guidance to
parents. The messages are still the same. If sick, stay home and call
your doctor. Wash hands often.

Why isn’t Virginia disclosing the specific cities where the confirmed cases live?

Our goal in public health is to stop transmission of disease in a
mobile society. The flu is transmitted person-to-person. Disclosing
locations may create a false sense of security. Also, HIPAA laws
prevent disclosure of that information.

Is seasonal flu more deadly than the new H1N1 virus?

We are still learning about the new H1N1 virus. The CDC has said it
appears to be similar to seasonal flu. Virginia is prepared in case the
situation becomes more severe.

Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the novel H1N1 flu?

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the novel H1N1 flu.

When would you advise having an emergency kit in case of quarantine?

All families and individuals should have an emergency kit stocked and
ready for possible emergencies such as severe weather or a health
emergency. Quarantines (restricting the activities of healthy people
who have been exposed to a contagious disease during the time period
when they may be incubating the disease) are very unlikely with novel
H1N1. You can find suggestions for what to include in your plan and
emergency kit at www.ReadyVirginia.gov.

How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?

Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental
surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited
on the surface.

There were reports of test kits for home use. Are they effective?

Be wary of promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent,
mitigate, treat or cure novel H1N1 flu. Some companies may seek to take
advantage of a new disease with unproven or even fraudulent products
such as test kits, food or dietary supplements, drugs, devices or
vaccines. Reports of suspected fraud should be reported to the Virginia
Fusion Center at (877) 4VA-TIPS.

Is travel on cruise ships safe?

If you are not
feeling well you should not travel. To protect yourself, practice daily
disease prevention measures like hand washing and covering your cough.
For the most current CDC travel recommendations, go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/cruiseships.htm.