This great information was forwarded on to me; thanks!  You know who you are ;o)

The Swine Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus causing flu-like illness.

Cases have been identified in the following states as of April 27, 2009:

# Confirmed
California 7
Kansas 2
New York 8
Ohio 1
Texas 2

A. Case Definitions:

1. Confirmed case with an acute respiratory illness confirmed by:

a. Viral culture

b. Form fold rise in swine viral specific antibodies

c. Real-time – PCR

2. Suspect Case – acute febrile respiratory illness with onset within 7 days of a confirmed case.

3. Close Contact – within 6 feet of ill person.

B. Transmission:

1. Human to human –coughing and sneezing

2. Pig to human or contact with or viral contaminated environment

NOTE: Information on how easy it is spread is not clear

3. Incubation period – 1-7 days

4. Duration of illness – 4-6 days

5. infectious period – 1 day prior to and 7 days after onset of illness or symptoms are resolved

C. Signs / Symptoms

1. Headaches

2. Chills / Fever 100o or greater

3. Cough / Sore throat

4. Body aches

5. Fatigue

*MORE SEVERE SYMPTOMS*

1. SOB (Shortness of Breath)

2. Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

3. Sudden dizziness

4. Confusion

5. Sever or persistent vomiting

D. Prevention

1. Place suspect or confirmed case on Airborne and Contact Precaution

2. Use N95 Respiratory in addition to gowns, gloves and goggles for all staff working with or screening symptomatic patients.

3. Respiratory etiquette for all. Cover coughs with the arm, sneeze into a tissue, fully covering the mouth and nose. Discard tissue immediately into trash and apply hand antiseptic or wash immediately for 15 seconds. Avoid touching your mouth and eye with unclean hands.

E. Medication for Treatment

1. No vaccine available.

2. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) – 75mg bid for 5 days

3. Zanamivir – 2 inhalations of 5mg each bid for 5 days

4. Virus is resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine

5. Current flu vaccine will not protect anyone against this new virus.

6. If no negative pressure, Airborne Isolation room is available, the place the patient in a private room with the door closed.

F. References

1. Florida Department of Health, “Guidance document: Enhanced Influenza Surveillance for Hospitals and Clinicians”, April 23, 2009.

2. Florida Department of Health, “Advisory: Swine Flu Information and Infection Control Recommendation”, April 24, 2009.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Swine Influenza and You”, April 24, 2009.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting”, April 24, 2009.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Interim Guidance on Case Definitions to be Used For Investigations of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Cases”, April 26, 2009.

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Human Swine Influenza Investigation”, April 25, 2009.

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