H1N1 has sure made our lives more complicated, hasn’t it?

It used to be complicated enough staying up to date with one influenza virus, the “seasonal” or winter flu, now we have H1N1, swine flu, to worry about, too. In other words, we now have two flu seasons instead of one.

H1N1 and “seasonal” flu have a few important differences:

1. H1N1 is a distinct virus from “seasonal” flu.
2. H1N1 doesn’t have a distinct season the way “seasonal” flu actually has. H1N1 seems to be perennial, meaning it seems to be able to run through all the seasons.
3. H1N1 seems to be more mild than “seasonal” flu, so far, but can still make people very ill and has cost people their lives.
4. H1N1 is very widespread and that hasn’t changed so far.

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You know one of these days it will happen. On the day when you least expect it (and often when it is least convenient) the school nurse will call in form you that your child has “flu like symptoms with a fever” and needs to be picked up. Now what?

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Swine Flu is Influenza H1N1. This virus is very, very similar to season flu mentioned above. Important points to focus on:

1. You have to have flu symptoms to worry about having Swine Flu.

2. The people most at risk are the people who have either visited Mexico recently or come in contact with people exposed to the virus through those people.

3. The best way to avoid further spread of the virus is to

• Stay home if you feel sick for 7 days
• Seek medical care if you are not getting better or have concerning symptoms such as lethargy, very high fever, or trouble breathing.
• Wash your hands vigorously.
• Cough in the crook of your arm.
• Stay informed! Visit the CDC website for more information.
• Don’t panic! This virus has spread quickly but the spread is slowing and the viral strength is not as intense as we are used to with seasonal flu.
• Call your physician with any questions.