Flu and Respiratory Virus Protection

The H1N1 Virus is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get the H1N1 Virus, but human infections can and do happen. H1N1 Viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

CDC has determined that the H1N1 Virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

Spread of the H1N1 Virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds.

When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

Do any swine have the virus that has infected humans?
There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus strain and therefore, this is not an animal health or food safety issue.

Can I get this new strain of virus from eating pork or pork products?
There is no evidence at this time that swine in the United States are infected with this virus strain and therefore, this is not an animal health or food safety issue.

Can I get this flu by touching pork that is not yet cooked?
There is no evidence at this time that the virus is in the U.S. swine herd.

What is this flu that people are talking about in the news?
It is a new strain of flu that consists of a mixture of genetic material from swine, avian and human influenza viruses.

Is USDA testing and monitoring to make sure swine are not infected with the virus and if so, how?
A network of Federal veterinarians, state animal health officials and private practitioners are regularly involved with monitoring U.S. swine for signs of significant disease.

To date, there have been no reports that the influenza virus currently causing illness in humans is circulating anywhere in the U.S. swine herd.

As a proactive measure, USDA has reached out to all state animal health officials to affirm they have no signs of this virus type in their state.

We have also reached out to pork producers to remind them of the need to watch for any warning signs.

Click here to view all FAQs from the USDA.

Production is now at or near full capacity, and the shortage of available vaccine appears to be easing, according to the CDC. As of December 3, more than 63.3 million doses of the vaccine have been shipped throughout the country, with another 10 million doses expected to be available the week of December 7.

The target groups to receive the vaccine remain pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

People at higher risk for complications of flu, like pregnant women and people with certain chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and asthma, should strongly consider getting the vaccine. Others may benefit from it, as well.

A single low dose of H1N1 vaccine may be enough to protect adults from the flu virus.

The vaccine should provide protection in 8 to 10 days after the shot.

Can more than one person use the same N95 respirator?
A disposable N95 respirator should be worn by only one person and properly discarded.

Can N95 respirators be re-used?
A disposable N95 respirator should be worn only once and then thrown away in the trash. The re-use of disposable respirators can result in a risk of contact transmission by touching a contaminated surface of the respirator and then touching a mucus membrane of the face.

When should I dispose of my N95 respirator?
A disposable N95 respirator should be discarded when it’s become contaminated (it’s come in contact with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, or body fluids from other people), damaged, or difficult to breathe through, even if the wearer is not done with it.

What other respirators can be used in place of an N95?
Other classes of disposable respirators (N99 or N100, for example) can be considered because they are similar in design, shape and function to an N95.