For information and resources on seasonal flu, click here.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu . Our CVS pharmacists and MinuteClinic nurse practitioners
have been fully briefed about the 2009 H1N1 flu (swine flu) situation.
Human cases of H1N1 influenza (a.k.a. swine flu) have been found throughout the United States as well as internationally. On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to phase 6, the highest level. H1N1 flu infections have been reported in over 70 countries worldwide. The CDC will continue to take aggressive action to respond to this outbreak.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Everyday healthy actions you can do to help prevent H1N1 flu (swine flu) include:
Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after you cough or sneeze. An alcohol based hand sanitizer can also be used.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and discard of the tissue in the trash.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as germs can spread easily that way.
Avoid contact with those who are sick as influenza is thought to be mainly spread from person-to-person through coughing and sneezing of those who are infected
If you’re sick, stay home from school or work to keep others from getting infected.
A vaccine to prevent H1N1 influenza has been developed and approved by the FDA. The first shipments of H1N1 vaccine has already shipped to all 50 states.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has identified the following priority groups to receive the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine as soon as possible:
Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus.
Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism among healthcare professionals could reduce healthcare system capacity.
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because there have been many cases of H1N1 (Swine) flu in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because there have been many cases of H1N1 (Swine) flu in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
H1N1 vaccination offerings will vary by state. To find out more about how to receive the H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine in your area, please visit the Flu.gov Flu Shot Locator by clicking here.
There are antiviral drugs that are available to treat H1N1 flu (swine flu) and prevent infection with H1N1 flu virus. The two antiviral drugs that are effective in treating H1N1 flu are Tamiflu® (oseltamivir) and Relenza® (zanamivir).
If you are already sick with H1N1 flu, these antiviral drugs can make your symptoms milder and help you feel better faster.
If you have been in contact with the H1N1 flu virus, these antiviral drugs can help prevent you from getting H1N1 flu.
Both antiviral medications must be prescribed by a healthcare practitioner.
To find out how MinuteClinic can help keep your family safe, click here.
*If you get sick and have any of the following warning signs you should seek emergency medical care:
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
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
Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
