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H1N1 Influenza: What You Need to Know
| Posted on: October 5, 2009 |
1. What is H1N1 influenza?
Like regular, seasonal flu, H1N1 influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory (lung) infection. It causes fever and a cough or sore throat that can last a week or more. Some people also get diarrhea and vomiting.
2. How serious is it?
H1N1 caused some severe illness last spring. But the great majority of infections did not cause complications or require any medical treatment.
3. Will my seasonal flu vaccination protect me against H1N1 influenza?
No. Seasonal flu vaccine will not work against H1N1 flu.To protect against both kinds of flu, people will need 2 different vaccinations: one for seasonal flu, and one for H1N1.
4. Who should receive H1N1 influenza vaccine?
The following people should receive H1N1 vaccine, in addition to a seasonal flu vaccination:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months
- Health care and emergency medical services workers
- Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years
- People aged 25 to 64 years with certain long-term health conditions that make them more likely to get very sick with the flu
5. Where can I get a vaccination?
H1N1 vaccine will be available in many of the same places where people get seasonal flu vaccine. Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/flu for information.
6. Information may change – stay tuned!
For up-to-date information about seasonal flu, H1N1 flu, and where to get a flu vaccine,including free or low-cost vaccines, call 311 or visit these websites:
From the City of New York: www.nyc.gov/flu
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
Topics: Human Services Committee