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H1N1 Flu Virus Information

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Individuals, Families & Communities


Where can I receieve the H1N1 vaccine?

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Things You Can Do - En Español (link to CDC)

Good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu:

  • Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
  • Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
    • How to Wash Hands Properly:
      Use soap and warm, running water. Rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds. Wash all surfaces, including:
      • backs of hands
      • wrists
      • between fingers
      • tips of fingers
      • under fingernails
      • Rinse your hands well
    • Dry your hands with a paper towel.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

FAQs About the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus

H1N1 Flu – Questions and Answers brochure - En Españolfor H1N1 Flu – Questions and Answers brochure

Q: What is 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus?
A: H1N1 flu is a febrile (fever greater than 100 degrees) respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of influenza are common in mammals (including humans) and birds, but usually remain contained within their host species. The 2009 H1N1 flu, however, is a novel virus – a genetic mixture of viruses seen in pigs, birds and people. It was initially called swine flu because it is structured like a virus that usually infects pigs.

Q: What is the incubation period for H1N1 flu?
A: The incubation period (the time between when a person is exposed to the virus and when they begin having symptoms and feeling sick) is generally 1-3 days.

Q: What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
A: The symptoms of infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.

Q: How long is someone who gets H1N1 flu contagious?
A: Someone with H1N1 is generally contagious until at least 24 hours after their fever breaks, without the use of fever reducing medications.

Q: How is the flu spread?
A: 2009 H1N1 flu spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu – through the coughing and sneezing of people with influenza. Infected people can infect others one day before their own symptoms begin and up to a week after becoming sick.

Q: I think I might have H1N1.  Should I seek medical attention?
A: Most cases of H1N1 are relatively mild and do not require medical attention.  If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, go to an emergency room or urgent care center:

  • For children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
    • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • Bluish or gray skin color (call 9-1-1 immediately)
    • Not drinking enough fluids
    • Severe or persistent vomiting
    • Not waking up or not interacting
    • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
    • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
       
  • For adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • Sudden dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Severe or persistent vomiting
    • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Q: Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?
A: Yes.  Clinical trials have shown that the new H1N1 vaccine is both safe and effective.  The FDA has licensed it.  There have been no safety shortcuts.  The vaccine is produced exactly the same way the seasonal flu vaccine is produced every year.  It is simply a new virus strain.  In fact, had H1N1 struck this country earlier than this spring, the H1N1 strain probably would have been included as part of this year’s seasonal flu shot. Millions of Americans get the seasonal flu vaccine each year without any problems.  For more information on H1N1 vaccine safety, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm.

Q: Where can I receive the H1N1 vaccine?
A: Click here for information on public H1N1 vaccination clinics in Kansas.

Q: Why is vaccination with pneumococcal/pneumonia vaccine important?
A: Any flu infection (including 2009 H1N1 flu) can make people more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia.  A bacteria known as pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal infections are a serious complication of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza infections and can cause death.

Certain groups are recommended to get pneumococcal/pneumonia vaccine:  Children less than 5 years of age and adults over 65, as well as high-risk individuals 2 through 64 years of age, should be vaccinated against serious pneumococcal disease. The vaccine, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV), is safe and effective. Most people need a single dose of the pneumococcal vaccine in a lifetime (if you’ve already gotten PPSV, you do not need to receive it again). All children less than 5 years of age should receive a different vaccine called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7); high risk children 2 to 4 years of age need both pneumococcal vaccines.  Healthy persons less than 65 years of age are not recommended to receive pneumococcal vaccine.

(For those 19 through 64 years of age, high-risk conditions include: having asthma or smoking cigarettes.  For those 2 through 64 years of age, high-risk conditions include: chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies), chronic pulmonary disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema), diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis), cerebrospinal fluid leaks, cochlear implant, functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy, immunocompromising conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant, and residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities.)

Pneumococcal vaccine is available from primary care physicians and may also be available at some local health departments.  Unlike the H1N1 influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine is not available for free and immunization providers will have to bill the patient or the patient’s insurance for the cost of the vaccine and administration. 
For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/public_pneumococcal.htm.

Recalled Vaccine Q&A

Q: Are the recalled lots of H1N1 vaccine safe?
A: Yes. There are no safety concerns with the recalled lots of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. All lots successfully passed pre-release testing for safety.

Q: Is all H1N1 vaccine affected?
A: No. Only specified lots of the 2009 H1N1 pediatric vaccine for children 6-35 months in pre-filled syringes are affected.

Q: Why were these lots of vaccine recalled?
A: The active ingredient for the vaccine in these lots (called "antigen") was below established limits for the vaccine.

Q: If my child was vaccinated with a recalled dose, does he or she need to be revaccinated?
A: No. Parents of children who received vaccine from the recalled lots do not need to take any action, other than to complete the two-dose immunization series if not already completed. The vaccine potency is only slightly below the specified range, and is still expected to be effective in preventing H1N1 flu. Children less than 10 years old who have only received one dose of vaccine thus far should still receive a second dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, about one month after the first dose.

Q: Where can I learn more?
A: Contact the CDC hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).