1. What is influenza? This is virus that every winter season
causes fever and cough and so is called seasonal influenza.
2. What is different about 2009 H1N1 influenza? This virus is
a new strain caused by mixing several influenza genes together (a
mutation) so few if anyone has immunity from exposure in previous
years. This means anyone exposed to the virus will likely become
infected.
3. What kind of symptoms can 2009 H1N1 cause? All the symptoms
are similar to the usual winter influenza so high fever, muscle aches,
headache, sore throat and cough are most common.
4. Is this flu worse than usual flu? So far, this appears to
be a mild version of influenza except in rare cases.
5. Should I get tested if I think I have H1N1? Probably not.
Testing is recommended in patients with certain high risk underlying
conditions like heart, lung disease, or immune problems since
complications from influenza are more common in this group. It is also
recommended in patients ill enough to be hospitalized.
6. If I get 2009 H1N1, should my doctor prescribe routine
antibiotics, like amoxicillin? This is a viral illness and
antibiotics only help with certain bacterial infection.
7. Is there a medicine that fights viruses like influenza?
There are 3 antiviral medications for influenza and 2 appear to be
effective for the 2009 H1N1 so far. A serious concern is that if these
medicines are overused, then resistance will develop and no treatment
will be available for even the sickest patients.
8. Does treatment help? Treatment shortens the course of
disease by about a day in most patients, but does not lessen symptoms.
It appears most helpful in patients who are most severely ill
(hospitalized) or with compromised immune systems.
9. Who should get treatment if they have flu? Current
recommendations are that only certain patients should get treated with
these medicines. Treatment is recommended for high risk patients and
for preventative treatment for high risk household contacts. As always,
immunization may be the best way to prevent influenza. 2009 H1N1
vaccines are currently being tested and may be available by fall.
Children should still get the routine seasonal influenza vaccine too.
10. Are there complications of 2009 H1N1? Like every
influenza virus, bacterial complications like ear infection and
pneumonia can follow 2009 H1N1 influenza. Most patients with 2009 H1N1
improve without treatment in 2-3 days. If your child has influenza
symptoms and does not improve or starts getting worse by day 4, SEE
YOUR PEDIATRICIAN.
