Influenza A H1N1 (also called swine flu, human swine flu, swine influenza H1N1 or flu H1N1)

Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) is a new kind of flu that’s spreading around the world from person to person. It’s a very serious disease.

This page talks about influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) and how to cut down your chance of getting it. It gives special advice for people with lung diseases like asthma or COPD.

What is influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

Influenza A H1N1 (human swine flu) is a new kind of flu. It’s caused by a contagious virus.

What places in the world have cases of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)? How many people have caught it?

So far, people in Mexico, the USA, Canada and several other countries have confirmed (lab-tested) cases of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu). The World Health Organization tracks how many people have it and where they live. Check the WHO human influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) page for the latest information on cases around the world.

Why are people making such a big deal about influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

This new kind of flu is worrying doctors and health officials for a few reasons:

• It spreads easily and from person to person, across the world.
• People’s immune systems (natural defenses) are not good at fighting influenza H1N1, because it’s a new kind of flu.
• The regular seasonal flu vaccine (flu shot) does not protect against this new kind of flu.
• This flu has killed young healthy people, which is unusual. Normal seasonal flu usually kills people who are weak or old.

There is a chance that this Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) will spread to millions of people around the world, becoming a flu pandemic.

What are the symptoms of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

The symptoms of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to “regular” seasonal flu symptoms:

• fever
• tiredness
• muscle aches
• lack of appetite
• cough

Other possible symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Swine flu symptoms usually come on quickly.

Some people with influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) have had mild flu symptoms. So far, Canadians who caught it have had mild symptoms. Other people have gotten very sick from swine flu and had to get treated in hospital. Some people have died from it.

How do people catch and spread influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

You can catch this kind of flu from a person who has it; influenza H1N1 (swine flu) is contagious.

Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) germs are in the sick person’s saliva (spit) and in the mucus in their nose and throat. When a person with swine flu sneezes or coughs, they spray little droplets of saliva and mucus into the air. Other people can breathe in the droplets and get sick. Or the droplets can land on tables, keyboards, books and other things. When someone touches these things, then touches their face or eyes, they can catch the virus and get sick.

This is why it’s so important to wash your hand properly, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching your face. Learn all about controlling germs, below.

You cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or any other food.

I have symptoms and I’m not sure if they are swine flu or some other sickness. How can I tell the difference?

It’s hard to tell the difference between regular seasonal flu and swine flu just by looking at symptoms. Doctors find out what kind of flu someone has by taking a sample of their saliva and sending it to a lab to be tested. If you have flu symptoms, call your doctor or healthcare provider. They can tell you what your symptoms mean and give you whatever advice, tests or treatment you need.

There is a greater chance that your case of flu could be influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) if:

• you have recently visited an area where the flu is currently spreading (especially Mexico) or
• if the you have been in very close contact with another person with a confirmed case of swine flu.

If you have common cold symptoms that come on slowly (a runny or stuffed-up nose, a sore throat, sneezing), treat them at home as you normally do. You don’t need to see a doctor if you have a simple cold. Just stay at home and rest until you feel better.

What should I do if I think I have influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

If you have symptoms of flu or swine flu, call your doctor or health-care provider. If you feel very sick, go to the hospital.

What’s the treatment for influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

For people with mild cases of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), doctors may not give any medicine. The treatment is just to stay home, stay away from other people, and rest. Mild influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) may go away on its own after a week or two.

If a person gets very sick with influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), doctors may give antiviral medicine, also called an “antivirals.” Two antivirals have been proven to work against swine flu: oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza). These are prescription medicines. If a person with influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) takes one of these antivirals within two days of showing symptoms of influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), their symptoms will be less severe and they will get better more quickly.

Why don’t antibiotics work for Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria. But flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria. So antibiotics don’t work for flu because they don’t treat viral (virus) infections.

Is there a shot (vaccine) to protect humans against influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

Not yet. Companies are starting to make a new vaccine to protect against swine flu, but it will probably take six months before the vaccine is ready.

Will the normal seasonal flu shot protect me against influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

No, not much. The regular seasonal flu shot that you may have gotten in the fall was not designed to prevent influenza A H1N1 (swine flu). It might give people a little protection against swine flu, but probably not much.

I am planning to travel. What do I need to know about influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) and travel?

You should read the travel advisories from Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs. These travel advisories give Canadians advice on how safe it is to travel to different places.

I have a long-term lung disease (asthma or COPD). Are there special things I should know about influenza A H1N1 (swine flu)?

Yes. If you have a long-term lung disease like asthma or COPD, you are more likely to come down with a lung infection. You are more likely to catch and get sick from the flu, including influenza A H1N1 (swine flu). Getting the regular seasonal flu or influenza A H1N1 (swine flu), can make your asthma or COPD symptoms worse. So you should pay extra-close attention to your symptoms, and you should be extra careful about germs.

Advice for people with asthma, COPD and other long-term lung diseases

1. Follow all the steps to wash your hands and control germs, listed below. Ask everyone at your home and work to follow the same steps.

2. Make sure your asthma or COPD symptoms are well managed. If you usually have good asthma control or manage your COPD symptoms well, you’ll be better able to handle a virus if you happen to get one.

Everyone with asthma or COPD should have an action plan. Your action plan has written instructions from your doctor or health-care provider that tell you what to do when your symptoms get worse. Flu is one thing that will make your symptoms worse. If you have asthma or COPD, make sure your action plan is up-to-date and keep it handy.

Download an asthma action plan, for your doctor or health-care provider to fill out for you

How to tell if you have good control of your asthma symptoms

Learn more about managing your asthma.

Download a COPD plan of action (PDF), for your doctor or health-care provider to fill out for you

Learn more about managing your COPD symptoms

If your asthma or COPD symptoms are not under control, make an appointment with your doctor and ask for help.

3. Take your medicines as your doctor prescribed them. Many people with asthma and COPD are supposed to take preventer medicines every day. Sometimes people forget to take their preventer medicines. If you’re supposed to take your preventer medicine every day, but you forgot, start taking it now. If you’re not sure how or when to take your medicine, look at your asthma action plan or COPD action plan or see your doctor.

4. Have an extra supply of your asthma or COPD medicines on hand. Many people with asthma and COPD take medicine regularly, and they take extra medicine when their symptoms are worse. To be prepared for a possible lung infection or another emergency, have an extra supply of your medicine on hand (two week’s supply or more, if possible).

5. If you get sick, follow the advice in your asthma or COPD action plan. . If your symptoms are out of control, see your doctor. If your rescue medicine doesn’t work or you can’t breathe, call 911 or your local emergency number.

How can I protect myself and my family from swine flu?

These simple steps can help you avoid catching flu and swine flu. It’s very important that everyone follows these germ-fighting steps:

• Wash your hands properly and often. This web page shows all the steps to proper hand washing. It's especially important to wash your hands after you cough or sneeze.
• If you aren't near a sink, use an alcohol-based cleaner to wash your hands. Use enough alcohol-based cleaner to keep your hands wet for a minimum of 25 seconds.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hand.
• If you cough up phlegm (mucus), spit it into a tissue, throw the tissue away, and wash your hands properly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay at home if you are sick.