What You Should Know About Seasonal Flu, H1N1 Flu and CF
The CF Foundation is closely monitoring the seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flu situation.
Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of chronic medical conditions, like cystic fibrosis. Therefore, this information is particularly important to people with CF.
Every year, people get influenza (the flu) in the fall and winter. That is why it is called “seasonal” flu. However, this year is unusual because people could get infected by either seasonal flu viruses or the H1N1 virus. Everyone with CF and members of their households need to be aware of and get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 flu.
The CF Foundation’s Influenza Advisory Group recommends that all people with cystic fibrosis — and individuals living with them — follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on both seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention and vaccination.
Based on the CDC’s recommendations, the Foundation urges everyone with CF and those who live in the same household to:
- Get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible.
- Get the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as possible.
- Minimize the spread of germs by practicing good infection control:
- Clean your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, throw it away, and then clean your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Stay away from others if you are ill. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
- Watch for symptoms of the flu and if they appear, call your doctor.
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and vaccinations.
What is the difference between seasonal flu and H1N1 flu?
Influenza (the flu) is an illness caused by a virus. It usually causes people to get sick in the fall and winter, but people can get the flu at any time during the year.
H1N1 flu is the specific type of virus that is causing the current flu pandemic, or worldwide infection. It has also been called “swine flu.”
Seasonal flu generally occurs in the fall and winter. H1N1 flu is not limited to specific seasons. Both viruses cause respiratory illnesses. Because very few people have immunity to H1N1, many individuals are likely to get H1N1 flu if they are exposed to the virus.
The symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 flu are similar and include body aches and headache, fatigue, fever and chills, increased cough and sore throat.
Both seasonal and H1N1 flu can easily spread from person to person when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes. The cough or sneeze scatters small droplets that contain viruses. Sometimes a person may become infected with the flu by touching something that has flu viruses on it (like a door knob) and then touching their mouth or nose.
To learn more about how germs spread, watch the CDC video “Put Your Hands Together.”
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What is the best way to protect against seasonal and H1N1 flu?
The best ways to protect against seasonal and H1N1 flu is by practicing good infection control. You can do this by:
- Getting the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines.
- Cleaning your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, throwing the tissue away and then cleaning your hands.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Staying away from others if you are ill. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to be cautious about products that claim to prevent, treat or cure 2009 H1N1 influenza, specifically products like pills, air filtration devices and cleaning agents can kill or eliminate the virus.
The National Institutes of Health provides information on specific alternative options, including scientific information, potential side effects and cautions for each approach at http://health.nih.gov/topic/AlternativeMedicine.
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What are the symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 flu?
The symptoms of both seasonal and H1N1 flu are similar. They include:
- body aches and headache
- fatigue
- fever and chills
- increased cough
- sore throat
Some people with H1N1 flu also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
If you or your child has these symptoms, call your doctor or get medical attention right away.
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What should I do if I think I or my child with has the flu?
If you or your child may have the flu, call your doctor. If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from spreading germs.
If children have the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- fast breathing or trouble breathing
- bluish or gray skin color
- severe or persistent vomiting
- not waking up or not interacting
If adults have the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- sudden dizziness
- confusion
- severe or persistent vomiting
If you have H1N1 flu, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug like Tamiflu®.
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What flu vaccines should I or my child with CF get: seasonal, H1N1 or both?
The CDC and the Foundation’s Influenza Advisory Group recommend that everyone, especially people with lung disease like CF, get the both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as possible. Both vaccines can be given at the same time.
The flu vaccine is an important step in protecting against getting the flu.
The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you against the H1N1 flu.
You can learn more about influenza vaccine from the CDC.
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Is the H1N1 vaccine one shot or two?
Children nine years of age and younger need to receive two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, 21 days apart, for full immunization. People 10 years of age and older need only one dose of the vaccine.
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Can a person with CF get the H1N1 or seasonal flu nasal spray vaccine?
A person with CF should NOT get the nasal spray flu vaccine. The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use only in healthy people two to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. People with a medical condition that places them at high risk for complications from influenza should NOT get the nasal spray, including people with CF.
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Where can I get the flu vaccine?
Seasonal flu vaccinations for people with CF are generally available at CF care centers and through primary care providers. Talk with your CF care center to find out when they will have the vaccine available.
You can find the closest place to receive the seasonal flu vaccine from the American Lung Association’s Flu Clinic Locator.
The fastest way to get the H1N1 vaccine may not be through your CF care center.
Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. The vaccine will be available in a combination of settings, such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments; healthcare provider offices; schools; and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces.
To find out where you can get the H1N1 vaccination:
- Call your primary care physician and ask if they are offering the H1N1 vaccine.
- Call your CF care center and ask if they are offering the H1N1 vaccine.
- Refer to the H1N1 flu map for state-specific information on H1N1 flu or find your State Health Department to get local information.
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What do I do if I’m told CF is not a priority group for getting the H1N1 vaccine?
Some healthcare providers may not know that cystic fibrosis is a priority group for receiving the H1N1 vaccine. You can get a letter from your CF care center that explains why a person with CF is in the high-risk group to get the vaccine. You can also print this page from the CDC Web site that lists people with cystic fibrosis as high risk for developing flu-related complications.
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Should household members of people with CF get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines?
Household members of people with CF should receive both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations.
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Can I wait to get the seasonal flu vaccine until the H1N1 vaccine is available?
The CDC and the Foundation’s Influenza Advisory Group recommend that people get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. Seasonal flu vaccines are now available.
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Can I or my child go to work or school/day care/camp if we are sick?
If you or your child is sick, you should stay home to rest and get better. Also, staying home helps prevent the spread of germs to others.
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When can I or my child go back to work or school after having the flu?
You or your child should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without using a fever-reducing medicine, like acetaminophen e.g., Tylenol®.) A fever is defined as 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Children should not take aspirin if they have the flu or any viral infection.
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What should I do if someone at my child’s school has seasonal or H1N1 flu?
The best ways to protect against seasonal and H1N1 flu is by practicing good infection control. You and your child can do this by:
- Getting the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines.
- Cleaning your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, throwing the tissue away and then cleaning your hands.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Staying away from others if you are ill. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
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My doctor has prescribed Tamiflu®, but I can’t get it locally. What can I do?
CF Services Pharmacy, Inc. has Tamiflu® available for people with CF. You can contact CF Services at (800) 541-4959.
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Is it safe for me to travel?
We encourage you to talk with your doctor about your or your child’s travel if you have concerns.
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Can I get H1N1 flu from eating pork?
No. You cannot get H1N1 flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products are safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses, like the flu.
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Can I get H1N1 flu from taking pancreatic enzymes?
No, you cannot get H1N1 flu from pancreatic enzymes. The bacteria and viruses are destroyed in the manufacturing process used to make enzymes.
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Additional Resources About Germs and Infection Control
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Additional Resources About Seasonal and H1N1 Flu
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updated 11/19/09
