In April 2009 an outbreak of human cases of H1N1 (swine) flu was discovered in North America and quickly spread to countries around the world. In June, the World Health Organization raised its flu alert level to Phase 6 – the highest level – indicating that a global pandemic was underway.
The mission of the American Red Cross is to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross not only responds to tens of thousands of disasters each year, but also has responded to many public health emergencies in the past such as the influenza pandemic of 1918. Since the initial H1N1 outbreak in April, the American Red Cross has been helping individuals, families, schools, businesses and organizations prepare for and take action to reduce the spread of H1N1 influenza in their communities. Red Cross also continues to monitor the situation in coordination with federal and state officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security.
The exact symptoms of pandemic flu are unknown. However, the CDC notes that symptoms are expected to be similar to those of seasonal flu, which include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches and pains
- Stomach problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)
Visit the CDC’s “Key Facts about Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine” page for more detailed flu symptom information.
Research suggests that it may take two to seven days to show symptoms when a person catches the flu, and the symptoms may last for up to a week.
A person infected with the flu may transmit the flu for one to two days before they have symptoms, and for five to seven days after symptoms begin.
Contact a health care provider if you have any questions about specific symptoms.
Why the concern over pandemic flu?
Pandemic flu is more serious than seasonal flu. Most people who get seasonal flu recover within a week or two and usually do not require medical treatment. Pandemic flu is different because more people who get it might not recover, even with medical treatment, and people of every age may be at risk of serious illness or death.
When will this happen? Can I do something now?
Scientists cannot accurately predict the extent to which the current swine flu outbreak will become a pandemic, and if it does, how severe it will be. The best action the public can take now is to prepare for a potential pandemic and prevent further spread of the swine flu.
The best way to protect yourself and others is to practice healthy hygiene to keep you well now and during a flu pandemic. Practicing these actions now will make them easier to do later. These actions include washing your hands thoroughly and often, covering your cough or sneeze and staying home when you are sick to slow the spread of illness.
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