Monsanto ~ H1N1 Flu Information ~ General H1N1 Flu Information and Q&A

How do you know you have H1N1 flu?
Clinically, you can only diagnose influenza—but not which specific influenza you could have. The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu. They include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with the H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Is this disease transmitted from person to person?
Based on recent CDC and WHO data, H1N1 flu appears to be transmitted from person to person through contact. It is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu—spread mainly through coughing or sneezing.

How long can an infected person spread H1N1 flu to others?
People with the H1N1 influenza virus should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger ones, could potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Monsanto is strongly advising employees to stay home if they have influenza.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 flu, but 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:

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread quickly this way.
Ask others to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing—and throw the tissue in the trash after it’s used.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in an area where cases of H1N1 flu have been reported and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

Is the virus responsive to treatment?
Initial reliable data shows the virus responds to treatment with oseltamivir and zanamivir. It is resistant to amantadines. If you develop symptoms, it is important to contact your health care provided as soon as possible.

Can I get H1N1 influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get H1N1 influenza from eating pork or pork products, so eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.