You are here: Home >
What is H1N1 (Swine) Flu?
Recommendations and Advisories
Network 5 Resources
Additional Resources
Watch a great video on cough etiquette!
View an online presentation on H1N1,
developed by the Patient Education Institute, Inc.
What is H1N1 (Swine) Flu?
From the CDC's 2009 H1N1 Flu ("Swine Flu") and You:
"2009 H1N1 (sometimes called 'swine flu') is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway." WHO's decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
The 2009 H1N1 virus is primarily affecting people younger than 65 year old, with the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths overwhelmingly occurring in people 64 years and younger. This is in stark contrast to the impact of seasonal flu, where about 60% of hospitalizations and 90% of deaths occur in people over 65 years of age. High-risk groups, and those who are a priority for vaccination, include:
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
- people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems (this includes renal disease patients)
A vaccine was released in October 2009, though production and distribution have been slow and sporadic throughout the fall. Healthcare providers may register with their state health department to provide the vaccine to patients.
Recommendations and Advisories
November 23, 2009
Find a flu shot near you!
November 10, 2009
CDC Promotes Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV) for Persons with High-Risk Conditions
November 4, 2009
CDC Questions and Answers Regarding Respiratory Protection For Preventing 2009 H1N1 Influenza among Healthcare Personnel
November 2009
WHO issues
Revised Guidance: Clinical Management of Human Infection with Pandemic
(H1N1) 2009
September 10, 2009
Medicare Billing for the Administration of the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Vaccine
August 21, 2009
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Recommendations on the Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine
May 8, 2009
CDC releases
Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed, Probable, or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Outpatient Hemodialysis Settings
ESRD facilities and patients should follow guidance from the CDC and state and local health departments. Currently, all Network 5 states and the District of Columbia are directing healthcare providers to follow CDC guidelines for surveillance, testing, mitigation, and reporting of influenza. As with any infectious disease, the CDC is recommending the following precautionary measures:
- If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- If you feel you need medical attention, call ahead first so healthcare providers can take necessary infection control measures. Dialysis patients should still continue to go to treatment.
- 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 with an ethyl alcohol level > 60% are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
Network 5 Resources
Virginia
Register now to administer H1N1 vaccine to your patients!
Know What to Do about the Flu: Congressional PSAs Download a short public service announcement (audio or video) from your state senator and/or representatives with tips on protecting you and your patients from the flu.
Visit the Virginia Department of Health frequently for the latest information.
For questions, contact your local health department or call (877) ASK-VDH3 .
Maryland
Register now to administer H1N1 vaccine to your patients!
Know What to Do about the Flu: Congressional PSAs Download a short public service announcement (audio or video) from your state senator and/or representatives with tips on protecting you and your patients from the flu.
Visit the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene for citizen and provider resources, including clinical guidance.
For questions or influenza testing, contact your local health department or one of the state's H1N1 Flu Hotlines:
- Baltimore County Health Department: 410-887-BCHC (2243)
- Anne Arundel County Health Department: 410-222-7343 (recording)
- All Others: 410-767-6500 (public hotline)
West Virginia
Complete the pre-registration survey now to administer H1N1 vaccine to your patients!
Know What to Do about the Flu: Congressional PSAs Download a short public service announcement (audio or video) from your state senator and/or representatives with tips on protecting you and your patients from the flu.
West Virginia has established a comprehensive online H1N1 Flu Resource Center.
For questions, contact your local health department or the WV Bureau of Public Health at 304-558-5358 or 1-800-423-1271 (in West Virginia).
District of Columbia
Register now to administer H1N1 vaccine to your patients!
Get the latest on H1N1 by visiting the DC Department of Health's H1N1 website or by calling 202-737-4404 or 311 (in DC).
Additional Resources
In addition to the pandemic flu and emergency preparedness resources available on the Network website, we encourage you to visit the following websites regularly for up-to-date information on the developing H1N1 flu situation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Get the most up-to-date information and clinical guidance from the CDC. Information is also available in Spanish or by calling 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) for services in English and Spanish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
PandemicFlu.gov
Visit the official U.S. government website for information on pandemic flu.
World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO provides leadership on critical health matters internationally by monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.
Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition
The KCER Response Teams have been activated and are closely monitoring the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. KCER serves to support CMS and the ESRD Network program to coordinate information and resources.
Documents on this page are presented in Adobe PDF format. To view the documents,
download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.
