Monday, November 16, 2009

What is the Difference between the Seasonal Flu and H1N1?

The Messenger received the question above as a result of last week’s article on “Knowing the Difference between and Cold and the Flu”. The short answer is that it may take testing to determine if you have seasonal flu or H1N1.

Although there are many similarities between the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu, they are two different strains of influenza. The H1N1 virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is sometimes called Swine Flu because testing showed that many parts of this virus were similar to the flu viruses usually found in pigs[1]. In the spring of 2009, the virus began infecting humans and was called a novel virus, meaning that it is an infectious agent that humans have not ever been infected with before[2], unlike the seasonal flu, which most people have been exposed to at some point in their life.

Seasonal flu occurs annually and characteristics of strains can vary from year to year, which is why there is a different flu vaccine developed each year to combat seasonal flu. On average, seasonal flu infects between 5 and 20 percent of the population each year, causing approximately 36,000 deaths annually.[3] An August 7 report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology anticipates the infection rate among the population for H1N1 could be higher than that of seasonal flu, possibly infecting between 30-50 percent of the U.S. population and causing between 30,000 and 90,000 deaths. Unlike seasonal flu, which is responsible for deaths primarily in groups aged 65+, the report anticipates deaths from H1N1 will occur mainly in children and young adults. [4]

Similarities

  • Symptoms: Symptoms of H1N1 and seasonal flu are very similar, and include fever, body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, runny/stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, and possibly diarrhea and/or vomiting.
  • How it’s spread: The spread of the H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Differences

  • Who is impacted: While everyone is at risk for contracting H1N1, so far the number of cases and deaths reported from H1N1 are less among the people over the age of 64 than that of the seasonal flu. In addition, the CDC reports that “novel H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people.” (cite: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm)
  • Vaccinations: The seasonal flu has a vaccine developed annually in order to help people protect themselves. Find out more information about how to protect yourself against seasonal flu by visiting info.findaflushot.com and read our H1N1 blog for the latest information on H1N1 and vaccine development.

How can I tell if I have H1N1 instead of seasonal flu?

Because symptoms of seasonal flu are very similar to H1N1, you will not be able to distinguish between H1N1 and seasonal flu on your own. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you should contact your health care provider who will be able to evaluate your symptoms and possibly test for H1N1.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2009.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

[2] Associated Content, August 2009. Tami Port. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2029750/difference_between_the_new_h1n1_and.html?cat=5

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2009.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm

[4] President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, August 7, 2009.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/PCAST_H1N1_Report.pdf

Friday, November 06, 2009

Cold vs H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Symptom

Cold

H1N1 Flu

Fever

Fever is rare with a cold.

Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for to 4 days is associated with the flu.

Coughing

A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.

A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches

Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.

Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

Stuffy Nose

Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.

Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.

Chills

Chills are uncommon with a cold.

60% of people who have the flu experience chills.

Tiredness

Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.

Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.

Sneezing

Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.

Sneezing is not common with the flu.

Sudden Symptoms

Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.

The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache

A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.

A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat

Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.

Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.

Chest Discomfort

Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.

Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.