H1N1 Fact Sheet
from the
Department of Health & Human Services
August 3, 2009
Novel influenza A (H1N1) virus is still with us.
While the headlines and the television chatter about this virus
may have
quieted down, H1N1 has not gone away.
There are still higher levels of influenza-like illness than is
normal for
this time of year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and
Prevention (CDC). It is very unusual this time of year to have
reports
of flu activity.
H1N1 can be dangerous for a person with an underlying medical
condition—such as asthma or diabetes—or if you’re pregnant. So
far,
it’s been most contagious among children and young adults age six
months to 24 years old. Health care workers, emergency responders,
and people caring for infants should be on guard.
If you work, start planning for arrangements for child care in
case your
child gets sick or talk with your employer about what to do in
case you
need to be at home with a sick family member.
If you’re an employer, now is the time to plan to meet your
objectives
with a reduced staff. You do not want an employee who is ill to
spread
flu in the workplace.
Though we will not know the impact of H1N1 in advance, scientists
believe the virus could worsen when schools start to open. In
addition,
unlike years past, it’s possible we might be dealing with both
this new
H1N1
and the seasonal flu.
H1N1 Fact Sheet from CDC
