What to do about Swine Flu
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: News
Throughout these past five months there has been a lot of concern about novel H1N1 or swine flu. The top priority of Lehman College administrators is the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, and to educate you about H1N1, how to prevent transmission, and when to seek medical attention. We want to dispel myths about this virus and make sure you have the facts necessary to make informed decisions about protecting your health.
What is novel H1N1?
H1N1 is a flu virus that is contagious, just like the seasonal flu, and spreads from person to person when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes on an uninfected person. In some cases, people may become infected with the virus by touching doorknobs, counter tops, and other surfaces that have been contaminated by the virus, and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This means that when you ride the subway (especially if you hold onto that germ infested "subway pole") or another form of public transportation, wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible afterwards or use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer, like Purell®.
Why was this virus originally called "Swine Flu"?
This virus arrived in the United States in April 2009 and lab tests showed that the make-up of this virus was very similar to flu viruses found in pigs (swine) in North America. However, more recent studies indicate that this virus is quite different from the flu strain found in pigs, and health professionals no longer refer to this virus as swine flu. It is now called H1N1, novel H1N1 or novel Influenza A.
What is the difference between the "seasonal flu" and novel H1N1?
Seasonal flu is caused by influenza (flu) viruses that most people have come into contact with at some point in their lives. Each year, the make-up of the seasonal flu changes just enough that a new seasonal flu vaccine must be manufactured to take into account these new "changes" to protect people from becoming infected with seasonal flu. Since most people have been exposed to seasonal flu at some point, the body's immune system generally has a rapid response and most people recover relatively quickly (aside from those at high risk of complications, such as infants, the elderly, and those with serious health concerns and weak immune systems). H1N1 is different. Since so few people have ever been exposed to this virus, the immune system does not know how to respond, and even healthy adults are at risk of serious illness and potential complications.
What is novel H1N1?
H1N1 is a flu virus that is contagious, just like the seasonal flu, and spreads from person to person when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes on an uninfected person. In some cases, people may become infected with the virus by touching doorknobs, counter tops, and other surfaces that have been contaminated by the virus, and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This means that when you ride the subway (especially if you hold onto that germ infested "subway pole") or another form of public transportation, wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible afterwards or use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer, like Purell®.
Why was this virus originally called "Swine Flu"?
This virus arrived in the United States in April 2009 and lab tests showed that the make-up of this virus was very similar to flu viruses found in pigs (swine) in North America. However, more recent studies indicate that this virus is quite different from the flu strain found in pigs, and health professionals no longer refer to this virus as swine flu. It is now called H1N1, novel H1N1 or novel Influenza A.
What is the difference between the "seasonal flu" and novel H1N1?
Seasonal flu is caused by influenza (flu) viruses that most people have come into contact with at some point in their lives. Each year, the make-up of the seasonal flu changes just enough that a new seasonal flu vaccine must be manufactured to take into account these new "changes" to protect people from becoming infected with seasonal flu. Since most people have been exposed to seasonal flu at some point, the body's immune system generally has a rapid response and most people recover relatively quickly (aside from those at high risk of complications, such as infants, the elderly, and those with serious health concerns and weak immune systems). H1N1 is different. Since so few people have ever been exposed to this virus, the immune system does not know how to respond, and even healthy adults are at risk of serious illness and potential complications.
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