Common tests & procedures
· CDC Protocol of Realtime RTPCR for Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Oct 6. DSAT Guidance on CDC Import Permits for Swine-Originated Flu May 26. Biosafety Guidance for All Individuals handling Clinical Specimens or Isolates containing 2009-H1N1 Influenza A Virus (Novel H1N1), including Vaccine Strains Aug 15. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of …
How do you diagnose H1N1 flu?
· How H1N1 Swine Flu Is Diagnosed Self-Checks/At-Home Testing. There are no home testing kits that are accurate or approved for any type of influenza,... Labs and Tests. If you think you might have the flu, see your healthcare provider within the first 48 hours of the start... Differential Diagnosis. ...
What is the best treatment for H1N1 flu?
· The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. ... While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. In seasonal flu, certain people are ...
How to treat swine flu (H1N1 flu)?
· Diagnosis of H1N1 influenza is best made by real-time polymerase chain reaction (see Table ). Therefore, it is important to use the proper type of swab when obtaining specimens for H1N1 testing. Use swabs with synthetic tips (Dacron or polyester) and with either an aluminum or plastic shaft.
What happened to content on the H1N1 website?
· It's very important to seek medical attention if you develop severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing—such symptoms need to be treated. Stay home from work or school for as long as you have a fever. H1N1 swine flu is contagious as early as 24 hours before symptoms start and as long as your symptoms are present.
How is H1N1 treated or cured?
How Is It Treated? Some of the same antiviral drugs that are used to treat seasonal flu also work against H1N1 swine flu. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) seem to work best, although some kinds of swine flu don't respond to oseltamivir. These drugs can help you get well faster.
What steps can someone take to prevent or treat H1N1 influenza?
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Prevention and TreatmentCovering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. ... Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. ... Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. ... Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.More items...
Can H1N1 be treated with antibiotics?
Swine flu (H1N1) and other types of influenza are caused by viruses, so antibiotics do not treat these illnesses. However, some of the complications of swine flu are bacterial, such as pneumonia. Antibiotics can be used to treat these complications.
How is H1N1 influenza diagnosed?
Labs and Tests If your healthcare provider examines you and thinks you might have H1N1 swine flu, there are a few tests he might use to diagnose you. The most common is a rapid flu test. This consists of a nasal or throat swab that provides rapid results in the office in under 20 minutes.
What is the best medicine for swine flu?
Most people with flu, including H1N1 flu (swine flu), require only symptom relief. Supportive care such as drinking liquids, taking pain relievers for fever and headache, and resting may be helpful....TreatmentOseltamivir (Tamiflu)Zanamivir (Relenza)Peramivir (Rapivab)Baloxavir (Xofluza)
How long does it take to recover from H1N1?
Most people who get the flu (either seasonal or 2009 H1N1) will have mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs, and will recover in less than two weeks. Some people, however, are more likely to get flu complications that result in being hospitalized and occasionally result in death.
Why is azithromycin given for flu?
Single intranasal azithromycin treatment successfully reduced viral load in the lungs and relieved hypothermia, which was induced by infection. Our findings indicate the possibility that azithromycin could be an effective macrolide for the treatment of human influenza.
Is azithromycin used for flu?
Antibiotics such as azithromycin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
How to diagnose H1N1?
Diagnosing H1N1 swine flu is typically done through a combination of lab testing and clinical diagnosis by your healthcare provider. Doing a physical exam and asking thorough questions about your symptoms and illness are also important. Determining what is making you sick is not as easy as it might seem. Most people who are diagnosed ...
What test is used to diagnose H1N1?
If your healthcare provider examines you and thinks you might have H1N1 swine flu, there are a few tests he might use to diagnose you. The most common is a rapid flu test. This consists of a nasal or throat swab ...
What to do if you aren't sure what is making you sick?
If you aren't sure what is making you sick or if you are concerned because your symptoms have become more severe, contact your healthcare provider. Influenza often leads to other illnesses like bronchitis, ear infections, and pneumonia. 5 Many of these need to be treated differently than the initial flu. Be sure you are getting the correct treatment by talking to your healthcare provider whenever you have questions.
Can you test positive for H1N1?
Furthermore, office-based rapid tests aren't particularly sensitive, so there's a chance of getting a false result. If there is a certain strain that is causing illness in your community and you test positive, chances are good that you have that type also.
Can you self check for H1N1?
Self-Checks/At-Home Testing. There are no home testing kits that are accurate or approved for any type of influenza, including H1N1 swine flu. It is important to know the symptoms of H1N1 swine flu so that you will know if you need to see your healthcare provider to be tested.
Is H1N1 a lab test?
Most people who are diagnosed with H1N1 are told that this is what they have because of their symptoms, a lab test that is positive for influenza A, and the knowledge that the dominant strain causing illness in the community at that time is H1N1. It's rare that more definitive diagnosis is done through laboratory testing.
Can you be 100% certain of the flu?
There is a lot of overlap between symptoms of the flu and symptoms of other respiratory infections. Unless the flu test is positive, you and your HCP can never be 100% certain that you have the flu.
What antiviral is used for H1N1?
Some of the same antiviral drugs that are used to treat seasonal flu also work against H1N1 swine flu. Oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) seem to work best, although some kinds of swine flu don’t respond to oseltamivir. These drugs can help you get well faster.
How to get rid of the flu?
Either way, it "teaches" your immune system to attack the real virus. Besides a flu shot, there are other things you can do to stay healthy: Wash your hands throughout the day with soap and water.
How old do you have to be to get tested for swine flu?
But the test isn’t as common or widespread as those for regular flu. So the only people who really need to be tested are those in the hospital or those at high risk for life-threatening problems from swine flu, such as: Children under 5 years old. People 65 or older.
Can you catch H1N1 if you touch something?
If you come in contact with these drops, touch a surface (like a doorknob or sink) where the drops landed, or touch something an infected person has recently touched, you can catch H1N1 swine flu.
Can swine flu cause shortness of breath?
Like the regular flu, swine flu can lead to more serious problems including pneumonia, a lung infection, and other breathing problems. And it can make an illness like diabetes or asthma worse. If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, severe vomiting, pain in your belly or sides, dizziness, or confusion, call your doctor or 911 right away.
Can you catch swine flu from eating bacon?
Despite the name, you can't catch swine flu from eating bacon, ham, or any other pork product.
Can you get the swine flu without a lab?
Yes. Without one it's hard to tell whether you have swine flu or seasonal flu, because most symptoms are the same. If you have swine flu, you may be more likely to feel sick and your stomach and throw up than with regular flu. But a lab test is the only way to know.
Why is it important to confirm H1N1?
Confirming the presence of the H1N1 influenza virus in patients with suspected infection is critical to public health efforts to track, study, and contain the disease-and to the ability of clinicians to provide optimal management. Appropriate diagnostic testing is key to this process.
What type of swab is used for H1N1?
Diagnosis of H1N1 influenza is best made by real-time polymerase chain reaction (see Table ). Therefore, it is important to use the proper type of swab when obtaining specimens for H1N1 testing. Use swabs with synthetic tips (Dacron or polyester) and with either an aluminum or plastic shaft. Other types of swabs (swabs with cotton tips, calcium alginate swabs, swabs with wooden shafts) are not acceptable because they will interfere with molecular tests.
What are the specimens to be collected for a viral shedding test?
1 Specimens can include those from nasopharyngeal swab, nasal aspirate, or nasopharyngeal swab combined with oropharyngeal swab. Alternatively, a nasal swab specimen or an oropharyngeal swab specimen is acceptable if the nasopharynx cannot be accessed. A swab specimen from the anterior nares-for example, a specimen such as is typically obtained to test for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus -is not appropriate. In mechanically ventilated patients, endotracheal aspirates could also be collected. Sputum samples may be useful, and if bronchoscopy is needed, a bronchoalveolar lavage specimen should be obtained. If at all possible, obtain at least 3 respiratory specimens.
Can stool be labeled for H1N1?
If a patient has predominantly diarrheal symptoms, a stool specimen may also be obtained; this should be clearly labeled to be processed for H1N1 testing.
How to get rid of H1N1?
Make sure you get enough rest so your body can fight the virus and heal. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids—water and electrolyte drinks are the best options— to stay hydrated. 3
How do you get H1N1?
You can catch H1N1 the same way that you get the flu. You might get it through droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. You can also catch it if you touch your nose or mouth after you've touched a surface that was contaminated. 5
Where did H1N1 originate?
A study from 2016 found that the H1N1 virus likely began in Mexico where the disease circulated in pigs before being transmitted to humans. 4.
How to check for pneumonia?
Your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope to check for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds that suggest pneumonia.
What is the best way to check for pneumonia?
CT scan. If your pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs.
How to stop coughing when you have pneumonia?
Cough medicine. This medicine may be used to calm your cough so that you can rest. Because coughing helps loosen and move fluid from your lungs, it's a good idea not to eliminate your cough completely. In addition, you should know that very few studies have looked at whether over-the-counter cough medicines lessen coughing caused by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, use the lowest dose that helps you rest.
What is the test for pneumonia?
This measures the oxygen level in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection.
What tests are done to determine if you have pneumonia?
If pneumonia is suspected, your doctor may recommend the following tests: Blood tests . Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection. However, precise identification isn't always possible. Chest X-ray.
Can a chest xray tell if you have pneumonia?
Chest X-ray. This helps your doctor diagnose pneumonia and determine the extent and location of the infection. However, it can't tell your doctor what kind of germ is causing the pneumonia.
