Flu Factoids

Food does not spread the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. It is safe to eat properly handled, cooked pork products.

Chlorinated water from swimming pools and from your tap will not put you at a higher risk for catching the flu.

This age group is the least likely to get the virus. According to Centers for Disease Control, only 1.3 people out of every 100,000 people over the age of 65 have gotten H1N1 flu. However, rates in people 5 years to 24 years of age were 26.7 per 100,000.

The Centers for Disease Control does not recommend face masks for most people. The few exceptions are people who have the virus (they may want to wear one when around other people) and caretakers who are already part of a high risk population and are taking care of someone with H1N1.

People with asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, a weak immune system or pregnant are those at the highest risk. Previously healthy people who relapse should get medical treatment. Most of patients who were hospitalized in the United States had underlying conditions along with the H1N1 virus.

The outbreak began in Mexico. Although the government closed many public and private offices in Mexico City the virus still spread globally.

H1N1 Influenza A is the scientific name for Swine Flu. The H = hemagglutinin. The N = neuraminidase. Both of the 1’s in H1N1 refers to their antibody type. Influenza A belongs to a family of viruses that refer to the fact it’s first identified in an animal. (usually a bird or pig)

Unlike seasonal flu which can be fatal in young children and the elderly, H1N1 flu is killing children, adolescents and adults. 81% of deaths from H1N1 are in an age bracket that would normally recover from the seasonal flu.

You do not need to come into contact with pigs at all to get the virus. It’s often transmitted from one human to another. In fact, Centers for Disease Control say people who are regularly around pigs may have some immunity to H1N1.

A seasonal flu shot will not protect you from H1N1. This kind of shot combats different strains of flu but does not include H1N1 so you need to ask what kind of shot you are receiving.

Although it only takes an H1N1 patient a few days to feel better, the infectious stage lasts for up to seven days.

According to the World Health Organization, H1N1 is a pandemic. An epidemic is when a contagious illness spreads to more people than expected in one geographic area. Meanwhile, a pandemic, is when a contagious illness spreads to many areas across the globe. Neither word reflects how harmful or how harmless a disease may be.