About the Flu
The flu is a serious contagious disease. In a typical year, approximately 5-20% of the U.S. population gets the seasonal flu, and approximately 36,000 flu-related deaths are reported.
Two strains of flu, seasonal flu and Novel H1N1 (Swine) flu, are currently circulating in the United States. Most healthy people recover from the flu without problems, but certain people are at high risk for serious complications.
Flu symptoms may include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills, and fatigue. In H1N1 (Swine) flu infection, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.
This year the Novel H1N1 (Swine) flu virus may cause a more dangerous flu season with many more people getting sick and being hospitalized and higher mortality rates. Like seasonal flu, illness in people with the Novel H1N1 can vary from mild to severe.
Seasonal Flu
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from person-to-person and can cause mild to severe illness; and in some cases, can lead to death.
- In the United States, yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually happen during the fall through early spring.
- The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
- Flu viruses can cause illness in people of any age group. Children are most likely to get sick because their immune systems aren't strong enough to fight off the infection.
- Some groups are more likely to have complications from the seasonal flu. These include:
-those age 65 and older
-children younger than 2 years old
-people of any age who have chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, lung disease)
- Complications from the flu can include:
-bacterial pneumonia
-ear or sinus infections
-dehydration
-worsening of chronic medical conditions
What is H1N1 (Swine) Flu?
- H1N1 (Swine) flu is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, plus avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.
- H1N1 (Swine) flu is contagious. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person, in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
- H1N1 (Swine) flu is NOT caused by eating pork or pork products. H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease, it is a respiratory disease. The USDA continues to remind consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked.
- Illness with the new H1N1 (Swine) flu virus has ranged from mild to severe. While the vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 (Swine) flu have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
- About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 (Swine) flu have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the "high risk" category for serious seasonal flu-related complications. These include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
- Unlike the seasonal flu virus, adults older than 64 do not yet appear to be at increased risk of H1N1 (Swine) flu-related complications. CDC laboratory studies have shown that about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much protection may be afforded against H1N1 (Swine) flu by an existing antibody.
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