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Other Information
- Guidance for Discarding Wasted or Expired H1N1 Vaccines
- Dos and Don'ts for Proper Disposal of H1N1 Vaccine (printable)
H1N1 Wasted/Expired Doses Reporting Form- Treatment
- FAQs for Clinicians
- Guidance for Human Novel Influenza Virus Testing (updated 10/1/09)
- 10 Steps You Can Take: Actions for Novel H1N1 Influenza Planning and Response for Medical Offices and Outpatient Facilities (CDC)
- Home Care Guidance Physician Directions to Patient/Parent for Novel H1N1 Influenza (CDC)
- Vaccine Recovery Process
- Vaccine information
- Georgia Guidelines for Control of novel H1N1 in Schools
- Georgia School Exclusion Policy
- Day and Residential Camps (CDC)
Guidance for Human Novel Influenza Virus Testing- Guidance for Day/Residential Summer Camp Responses to Influenza during 2010 Season
- Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home (CDC)
- Travel Advisory (CDC)
General H1N1 Information
Human cases of H1N1 (formerly swine influenza) influenza A virus infection have been identified in several states as well as several countries around the world. Please see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) H1N1 Influenza web page at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu for the most current updates on case numbers and affected states/countries.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the outbreak, how easily it is transmitted between people, and whether this virus strain has the ability to cause a worldwide influenza pandemic.
CDC is working closely with state and local officials and international partners to provide assistance with epidemiologic investigation, diagnostic testing and the provision of guidance documents on treatment and infection control.
Symptoms
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it's possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. People at higher risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).(Source)
Georgia Investigation / Prevention
Please note: H1N1 vaccine information is available on the front page.
Georgia is conducting enhanced surveillance to identify H1N1 influenza illness. The goals of enhanced surveillance are to determine the severity of H1N1 influenza disease and describe the epidemiologic pattern of human illness with this virus strain.As with any infectious disease, the Georgia Department of Public Health is recommending the following precautionary measures:
- 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 hands cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
In addition, Georgia residents should:
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and other essential supplies.
- Stay informed. The most up-to-date information about H1N1 influenza can be found on the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
If people are ill, they should attempt to stay at home and limit contact with others until they are symptom-free for 24hrs. If you are caring for a sick family member in your home, CDC has provided valuable information for home care and for protecting yourself and family members.(http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm)
Healthy residents planning to travel should note that CDC has issued a travel advisory for nonessential travel to Mexico and has provided guidance for those who need to travel to affected areas (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/outbreak-notice/novel-h1n1-flu-global-situation.aspx).
Persons who may have been exposed to swine influenza and develop an illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider.
Clinicians
Laboratory testing for H1N1 influenza is only available only at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory, and is strictly used to determine the spread and clinical characteristics of the epidemic, NOT for primary diagnostic purposes. Patients must meet certain criteria to be tested for H1N1 influenza.Clinicians can find detailed guidance about testing including a screening form, a testing and treatment algorithm, and CDC infection control and additional treatment guidance for H1N1 influenza at http://health.state.ga.us/h1n1flu/clinicianandlab.asp.
State Public Health Laboratories
All clinical specimens submitted to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for H1N1 (swine influenza) testing will be screened for human strains of influenza (Influenza A and B). All those that are confirmed to be influenza A but cannot be typed as a human strain will be sent to the Viral Surveillance and Diagnostic Branch of the CDC’s Influenza Division for further testing.
Georgia District and Local Public Health Officials
Georgia Public Health staff can find guidance for the investigation of H1N1 flu cases here and the CDC Case Report Form. The GDPH Contact Investigation Form and the Infectious Period Timeline Tool can be used as tools for public health investigations of H1N1 cases.
More information about swine-origin H1N1 flu can be found on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
