There has been a lot of attention in the media about Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu).

It is important to understand what H1N1 flu is and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. The H1N1 flu is a new virus causing illness in infected people in the United States and countries around the world.

This virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. It was originally referred to as the “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed many of the genes in this virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America.

Upon further study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.

H1N1 is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world. Laboratory-confirmed human cases of H1N1 flu have been identified in 70 of Mississippi’s 82 counties.

One death related to H1N1 infection has been confirmed in Mississippi as of Aug. 31. Almost all of the influenza viruses that have been identified were the new 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. However, total influenza hospitalization for adults and children are similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates depending on age group.

As of July 31, the median age of persons with laboratory-confirmed infections in the United States was 12 years, and the highest infection incidence was among persons age 5-24 years.

H1N1 virus is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are transmitted mainly from person to person through exposure to coughing and/or sneezing of people with influenza illness. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something, such as a surface or object, with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Symptoms of H1N1 virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. People infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after.

The Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization have identified ways to stay healthy and guard against the flu:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze or cough into the sleeve of your shirt.

Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick from flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

Keep away from others as much as possible.

If you are sick and sharing a common space with other household members in your home, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable.

Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot of illness. The CDC recommends that people start obtaining vaccinations against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctor’s offices and in their communities. However, the seasonal influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against H1N1 influenza. Specific vaccines against the H1N1 virus are being manufactured, and vaccines are expected to be available in mid-October. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that certain groups at highest risk for infection should be the initial targets for vaccinations. The groups recommended to initially receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.

Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated.

Health care and emergency medical services personnel because infections among health care workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients.

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.

Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.

Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Please be assured that we at Natchez Regional are in constant touch with the CDC and our State Department of Health to ensure that all guidelines and procedures are being followed and met at our hospital in regards to H1N1, as well as having needed supplies on hand. Most importantly, remember that the everyday actions mentioned above can prevent the spread of germs that cause influenza and potentially save lives.

Tammy Lee is a registered nurse at Natchez Regional Medical Center and is the infection control/education manager.