David Grant USAF Medical Center's Public Health, Infection Control and Immunization clinics are working in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Solano County Public Health agencies to ensure all Team Travis members are equipped with knowledge and awareness in response to the recent H1N1 Type A influenza concern.

The H1N1 flu -- also widely reported in the media as "swine" flu -- has been given pandemic status by the World Health Organization.  Its progression around the world has been rapid.  Local media coverage concerning the death of a first-grade student in Vacaville who tested positive for H1N1 have only heighten local concerns among Team Travis personnel.

The Department of Defense and all segments of the U.S. government are working alongside their international partners to lessen the effects of the H1N1 flu worldwide.  President Barack Obama signed a national emergency declaration on H1N1 influenza Oct 24 to accommodate American health care facilities' ability to address the pandemic.

"The declaration grants authority to the Department of Health and Human Services to waive legal requirements and gives medical facilities the ability to set up alternate care sites, modify patient triage protocols, alter patient transfer procedures and other actions to employ disaster operations and relief," said Rene White, Pentagon spokeswoman.

Temporary waivers are petitioned to HHS by the individual medical facilities under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. Although the president declared the pandemic a national emergency, waivers still require specific requests to HHS, and some state laws may need to be addressed.

Since November 2009, the H1N1 flu vaccine has been available locally in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine.  Both are currently being administered to Team Travis personnel by DGMC's Immunization staff.  In accordance with announced DoD policy, all military personnel on active duty or reservists activated for service will be vaccinated. Initial vaccinations for military members will concentrate on those deployed, large training venues, personnel aboard ships and healthcare workers.

Military dependents are receiving the vaccine under a separate distribution program managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through supplies allocated to states based on population data. This vaccine is being provided to DoD through this system for enrolled medical beneficiaries.

The following information from the DoD's Military Health System, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services are provided for everyone's education and awareness:

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 Flu in people?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and 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 illnesses such as pneumonia, respiratory failure and deaths were reported with H1N1 flu infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

What is your risk of becoming infected?
Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems, and women who are pregnant have been identified as having a higher risk of becoming infected.  However, your risk is very low at this time unless you've been in contact with someone who has become ill since the outbreak of H1N1 has been identified.

How does H1N1 Flu spread and how can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Spread of this H1N1 flu virus is thought to be happening in the same way seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through the coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How long can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others the day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
A vaccine to protect against H1N1 flu is being distributed nationwide and is expected to be received locally by November. In the meantime, 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:

-- 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 or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, especially after coughing or sneezing.
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
-- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus if you are sick?
-- Active duty members who are ill should contact their supervisors and health care provider.
-- Limit your contact with other people as much as possible.
-- If you are mildly ill, you should stay at home. Do not go to work or school.
-- Cover your mouth and nose, preferably with a tissue, when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then clean your hands and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
-- Do not share objects like remote controls and pens.
-- Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched like door knobs, remote controls, light switches and toilet handles.
-- If someone in your household is sick, it is very important to disinfect surfaces and clean hands frequently.

When should you contact your health-care provider?
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek urgent 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

If it is determined you are at increased risk of having H1N1 flu (contact with a known case, travel to areas with infected people), medicine is available to treat H1N1 flu. Both Tamiflu and Relenza are effective against the H1N1 flu. Your local health-care provider can prescribe these medications for influenza viral infections.

Active Duty, Reservists, family members and retirees with respiratory illnesses who come to David Grant USAF Medical Center for their health-care needs should utilize face masks and hand sanitizer that are currently available at entrance doors and proceed to your appointment.

For more information, visit www.dod.mil/pandemicflu or www.cdc.gov/swineflu or call DGMC's H1N1 flu hotlines at (707) 424-H1N1 (424-4161), or (707) 816-5555.