Study Guide: H1N1 Swine Flu Facts vs. Fictions

Swine Flu Facts

• Is a pandemic strain of flu that appeared in 2009 in Mexico and California.
• Fewer people have systemic immunity against this strain of flu especially adults younger than 60 years according to the CDC,
• A new vaccine called the H1N1 flu vaccine has been created to build up people’s immunity systems. The vaccine is considered safe and effective.
• Older people born before 1950 appear to have a built in immunity against the swine flu, but if they get the flu they may be at high risk of developing complications.
• People with asthmatic, diabetes, pulmonary disease and any immunosuppressive disorders are at greater risk.
• Since October 10, 2009, there have been 4.958 confirmed H1N1 hospitalizations with 19% - 0-4 years; 25% - 5- 18 years; 9% - 19-24 years; 24% - 25-49 years; 15% - 50-64 years; and 7% - 65 years and older.
• According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), “from August 30, 2009 through October 10, 2009 states reported 292 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 deaths to CDC. The percentage of 2009 H1N1 deaths included 3%; 0-4 years; 14% - 5-18 years; 7% -19-24; 33% - 25-49; 32% - 50-64 years; and 12% - 65 years and older.
• People infected with the swine flu virus can infect others from the 1^st day of getting the virus before any symptoms occur typically within 5-7 days.
• A swine flu vaccine is the most effective treatment against the swine flu. Washing hands thoroughly and staying at home if you have flu symptoms are the next best prevention methods from infecting self and others.

Swine Flu Fiction

• Younger people have higher risks of flu complications than pregnant women. Pregnant woman appear to have higher risks of complications due to a lowered immunity system due to the pregnancy status. Younger people who have weakened immune systems or babies with no more vulnerable immune systems may develop more severe risk complications if infected with the virus (see the statistics in swine flu facts above on hospitalizations and deaths)
• The swine flu vaccine can give people the flu. The swine flu vaccine cannot give people the flu, however side-effects can arise from any vaccine that may include nose drips (nasal spray vaccine), low grade fever or headaches.
• Swine flu is not safe. Any flu strain vaccine contains strains of live virus to make the vaccine, which can create an immunity response to the actual swine flu.
• Swine flu can be passed through hugs. Close contact with people who have the flu is generally not recommended due to the live status of any virus contained in body fluids that could be transmitted through sneezing, coughing or spitting or picked up from surfaces after immediate contamination within day 1 of viral contamination and up to 5-7 days.
• Washing hands will totally protect against viral infection. Only the swine flu vaccine can provide total protection against the swine flu virus. However, it is imperative that all people, especially people in close contact with other in business, schools, sports events and other densely populated gatherings wash hands often and thoroughly during the course of the day.
• The new swine flu vaccine protects against seasonal flu. The swine flu vaccine only protects again the swine flu strain of the current flu virus.
• Anyone can get the vaccine. The top priority of people who can obtain the vaccine through private doctors, clinics and community centers include the following:
  • Pregnant women
  • Health care and medical personnel who are in direct contact with patients
  • Young people ages 6 months to 24 years and anyone 25-64 years with susceptible medical conditions as outlined in the CDC report and the http://www.seattletimes.com article by Dr. Michael McCarthy.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Questions and Answers. October 20, 2009. Retrieved from the Internet, October 30, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/

McCarthy, Michael. M.D. H1N1 vaccine safe, experts say. http://www.seattletimes.com Thursday, October 22, 2009 edition.