Liam Harrington, Jocelyne LaBossiere, Jack Nursing 212 11/30/2009 H1N1 H1N1 (sometimes called swine flu) is a new

influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009). This new and deadly disease threatens the lives of millions. If this disease cannot be contained or treated effectively the morbidity rates could rise exponentially. In the event that the disease becomes a full scale pandemic it is likely that the mortality rates will also skyrocket. With new vaccines efficacy deemed questionable there is an increase in tension about this new menace. The 2009 H1N1 is very contagious and its spreading from human to human. It is passed from host to host the same way that the seasonal flu is, through sneezing and coughing, or coming in contact with an object or person that has the flu virus on it. Although the virus is highly contagious, once the host has been infected and fought off the illness they can never bee infected by that specific strain of flu again (CDC, 2009). Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever (CDC, 2009). Severe complications with this illness has been associated with some deaths. Illness with 2009 H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred (CDC, 2009). Much like the seasonal flu, certain people are at high risk of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people

of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at high risk of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease, (CDC, 2009). There are a multitude of ways to prevent the transmission and spread of swine flu. To ensure good health you should wash your hands often cover your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as well as avoid getting close to those that have H1N1. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. The H1N1 swine flu vaccine is a separate vaccination, (Webmd.com, 2009, para. 4). It is projected that the vaccine will be widely available in December for those seeking it. For now those that need the vaccine the most are the ones that are going to receive it.

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