Latest information on the H1N1 Flu

28 Jan 2010

by: MO Department of Health and Senior Services

Missouri is taking significant steps to deal with a new form of influenza known as the H1N1 virus, which is often referred to as swine flu.  In Missouri, as well as worldwide, the illness associated with this new virus continues to be similar to the seasonal flu.  Most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment. 

The virus, however, has been shown to be particularly aggressive in some segments of the population not usually affected by the regular flu. Those groups include pregnant women and school-age children. In addition, those with underlying chronic health conditions, such as obesity or asthma, have been especially vulnerable.

By taking preventive measures -- washing hands, covering one’s cough and staying home from work or school if you are sick – you can help prevent the spread of infection to others while also protecting yourself.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home except when necessary to seek required medical care. They should remain at home until they have been free of fever exceeding 100° F [37.8°C] for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. This recommendation is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset.  This new guidance does not apply to health care settings where the exclusion period should be continued for 7 days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on these pages provides detailed guidance on ways to limit the spread of the flu. In addition, the department offers specific suggestions for avoiding the flu and dealing with an outbreak in a wide variety of settings. The links on the left side of this page will take you to specialized advice for child care providers, employers, nursing homes, medical professionals, pregnant women, schools and other groups that may face difficulties in dealing with this new virus. Additional groups will be added to this list as guidance becomes available.

Vaccines are the best way to prevent influenza. All members of the public are encouraged to receive the vaccine to protect against the seasonal flu. However, the seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the H1N1 virus. A separate vaccine for the H1N1 flu will be available this fall.

Groups who are most vulnerable to the H1N1 virus and should receive the vaccine as soon as it is available are:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.