What is the flu?

It is an infection caused by influenza viruses. The flu may case illness, hospital stays and death. There are many different flu viruses and sometimes a new flu virus emerges to make people sick.

What is novel H1N1 flu?

It is a new influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among us. This new virus was called "swine flu" at first because it has pieces of flu viruses found in pigs in the past, however it has not been detected in U.S. pigs.

How serious is the flu?

The flu can be very serious, especially for younger children or children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, weakened immune system, kidney disease, heart problems and neurological and neuromuscular disorders. These conditions can result in more severe illness from influenza , including the new H1N1 Virus.

How does the flu spread?

Both are thought to spread mostly from person to person though the coughs an sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People may also get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are symptoms of the flu?

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Other symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea

How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?

People infected with the seasonal and novel H1N1 flu may infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with novel H1N1 flu.

How can I protect my child against flu?

Get a seasonal flu vaccine for yourself and your child to protect against the flu viruses. In addition, both you and your child should take these everyday steps to help prevent the spread of the flu viruses.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to keep your child from having close contact (about 6 feet) with sick people, including anyone in the household who is sick.
• Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counter and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick person in your household in the trash.

Is there a vaccine to protect my child from H1N1 flu?

A vaccine against novel H1N1 flu is being produced and will be available in the coming months as an option for the prevention of the new H1N1 flu. A vaccine against seasonal flu is available each fall and winter. More information about the new H1N1 flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine is available on the CDC Web site.

Is there medicine to treat the flu?

Antiviral drugs can treat both seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu. They need to be prescribed by a doctor and they work best when started during the first 2 days of illness. These drugs are used to treat people who are seriously ill or have a medical condition that puts them at high risk of serious flu complications.