Microsoft word - consumer quick reference on swine flu 4-27-09.doc

QUICK REFERENCE: SWINE FLU
The United States declared a public health emergency in response to the recent reports of swine flu. UnitedHealthcare wants to help you understand some important facts about swine flu is so you may take appropriate actions to help protect yourself and your family. We also recommend the CDC website or contacting a medical professional for more information. The virus involved in the current outbreak of swine flu is a respiratory infection swine flu?
caused by a type of influenza A (H1N1). It is a disease typically found in pigs (also called swine). How do you
Although people do not normally get the swine flu, the virus is contagious and catch it?
humans can be infected. The virus is spread from person to person by
coughing and sneezing. Humans are typically contagious anywhere from one
day before the start of the illness to 7 days after onset. Note: Swine flu
CANNOT be contracted from eating pork and pork products.
Who is at risk of getting
Since this is a new flu strain, it is likely there is no existing immunity to the the swine flu?
virus. It is believed that everyone is at risk.
What are the
Swine flu symptoms are very similar to seasonal influenza and generally symptoms?
include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing, although some people also develop a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). How can I avoid
People can take action to help prevent the spread of the virus.
catching it?
• Frequent hand washing. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also helpful. • Avoid contact with those who are ill. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue (or your elbow) when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. How is it treated?
The CDC suggests the anti-viral medicines called Tamiflu and Relenza for the treatment and prevention of the swine flu virus. These medications work best if taken within two days of the development of symptoms. IMPORTANT: Aspirin or aspirin-containing products should not be given to any one aged 18 or younger, including confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu due to the chance of Reye syndrome. Non-steroidal medicines, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used to treat the symptoms. What should I do if I
If you are ill, you should stay home and avoid being with others to help control become ill?
the spread of the disease. You should also contact a doctor or nurse for urgent or emergency evaluation if you have: • Trouble breathing or rapid breathing In children, additional symptoms that may happen and need urgent care are: • Inability to drink enough liquids to stay hydrated Page 1 of 3
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm • Getting better, followed by a return of fever and worsening cough Symptoms which require calling Emergency Medical Services (911) include: • Extreme irritability. For example, a fussy child who does not want to Does the flu shot I
No. There is no vaccine for this strain of flu at this time. People living in received earlier this
affected areas should take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. year protect me? What
if I got a flu shot now –
would that protect me?
If I am traveling to
The CDC and WHO (World Health Organization) suggest that people avoid Mexico, should I take
travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to Mexico, follow the medicines to prevent
suggestions on the CDC Web site to lower the chance of infection. Please go me from getting the
to the following Web site for more recommendations: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx When should I get
Antiviral medicines are available for people 1 year or older. You should ask medication from my
your doctor whether you need antiviral medicines. The CDC’s recommendations for treatment are as follows: Suspected cases: “Treatment is recommended for any ill person suspected to
have swine flu.” Five days of medication is usually recommended if symptoms
have been present for no more than two days. Since some suspected cases
may turn out to have other strains of flu, a doctor may prescribe other drugs in
addition to Tamiflu and Relenza.
Confirmed cases: Either Tamiflu or Relenza may be administered for five days,
provided symptoms have been present for no more than two days.
Pregnant women: The safety of Tamiflu and Relenza during pregnancy has not
been tested. These drugs should only be used in pregnant women if it is felt
the benefit outweighs the chance of harm to the embryo or fetus.
Preventive drug treatment in people who are not ill: Effective care requires a
person to take the drugs for at least seven days. Preventive treatment is
recommended for:
• Household members who are close to other people who are at • School children who are close to other people with a confirmed or • Travelers to Mexico who are at high risk of flu complications • Workers at the Mexican border who are at high risk of flu • Health care or public health workers who have had unprotected close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of swine flu during the infectious period • Preventive care can be considered for any health care worker who is working in an area with confirmed swine flu cases and who is likely to have problems, and non-high risk persons who are traveling to Mexico, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases. Flu infections can lead to or occur with bacterial infections. In that case, people will likely need to also take antibiotics. A long or severe case of the flu that seems to get better, but then gets worse again, may be a sign of a bacterial infection. People with concerns about the course of their symptoms should check with their doctor. Page 2 of 3
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm How quickly can they
The answer to this question is unknown, but it may take many months to make make a vaccine against
and test a new vaccine. The current seasonal flu vaccine does not fight the this flu?
How long can the virus
It is known that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on live on surfaces?
surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. What about the use of
There is extensive information on the use of facemasks and respirators that facemasks and
can be found on the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm. respirators?

What advice is there for
The CDC has just updated information on the home care of a person who is ill the care of a person
with the swine flu at home. You can read about this at: sick with known or
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm. Things to think about: suspected swine flu at
• The sick person should not have visitors at home other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit. • If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick • Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of flu-related problems and resistance may be lower during pregnancy. • Everyone in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, including after EVERY contact with the sick person or the sick person’s room or bathroom. • Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or use cloth towels for each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person. • Caregivers might catch flu from the person they are caring for and then the caregiver might be able to spread the flu to others before the caregiver shows symptoms. Therefore, the caregiver should wear a mask when they leave their home to keep from spreading the disease to others, in case they are in the early stages of infection. • Caregivers should talk to their doctor about taking anti-viral medicine • Caregivers should check themselves and household members for flu symptoms and call a telephone hotline or a doctor if they feel sick. If I or a member of my
If a family or I am ill with a flu-like illness, what can we do to prevent the
family is ill with a flu-
spread of the disease?
like illness, what can we People who get a flu-like illness should stay at home for 7 days after they feel
do to prevent the
sick or 24 hours after the symptoms have gone away, whichever is longer. If a spread of the disease?
person wishes to seek doctor’s care, they should call their doctor before traveling to their office. Those with severe symptoms (for example, trouble breathing) should seek immediate medical attention. If someone must leave their home, he should wear a facemask to lower the chance of spreading the virus. If a face mask is not available, they using a handkerchief to cove a cough or sneeze is advised. Of course, those in home isolation should wash their hands often or use alcohol-based hand gels. As a rule, hand washing should be performed for at least 15 to 20 seconds. If others at home are likely to be within 6 feet of the ill person, the ill person should wear a face mask. More information is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/mitigation.htm. Page 3 of 3
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm

Source: http://www.uhcasian.com/pdf/Consumer_Quick_Reference_on_Swine_Flu_4_27_09_FINAL.pdf