Flu Season Trivia: Test Your H1N1 IQ...

1. TRUE OR FALSE: Hand washing does not work if there is no hot running water.

The answer is FALSE: The CDC recommends that you wash your hands thoroughly with clean, running water and soap. Use warm water if it’s available.  If clean, running water is not available use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

2.TRUE OR FALSE:  People over 64 who have chronic ailments not eligible for the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The answer is FALSE, everyone is eligible for the H1N1 flu vaccine, although some people may have health issues that would be affected by a vaccine and therefore should not take it. The goal of the pandemic influenza vaccination program is to vaccinate all persons in the United States who choose to be vaccinated. More than $8 billion is being invested in developing enough vaccine for everyone who needs it.

3. Which of the following groups are most vulnerable the H1N1 flu?

A. Pregnant women
B. Health care personnel
C. People who have underlying health conditions
D. All of the above

The answer is D. All of the above. Immunizing these groups first will help contain the spread of the flu during the vaccination roll-out which may take a few months.

4. Which of the following age groups is most vulnerable to the H1N1 flu?

A. 0-4 years
B. 5-24 years
C. 25-49 years
D. 50-64 years
E. 65 and older

The answer is B. 5-24 years of age.

5. Which age group had the highest reported deaths from H1N1 flu?

A. 0-4 years
B. 5-24 years
C. 25-49 years
D. 50-64 years
E. 65 and older

The answer is C. The number of deaths was highest among people 25 to 49 years of age (39%), followed by people 50 to 64 year of age (25%) and people 5 to 24 year of age (16%) This is a very different pattern from what is seen in seasonal influenza, where an estimated 90% of influenza-related deaths occur in people 65 years of age and older.

6.TRUE OR FALSE:  The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.

The answer is TRUE.

7. TRUE OR FALSE: The seasonal vaccine and the novel H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time.

The answer is TRUE. It is anticipated that seasonal flu and novel H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day. However, we expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

8. TRUE OR FALSE: The novel H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu” because you catch it from pigs.

The answer is FALSE: This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.

9. When can an infected person spread the H1N1 virus to others?

A. 1 day before
B. 1 day after
C. 5 days after
D. All of the above
 
The answer is D. All of the above. People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

10. TRUE OR FALSE: The CDC is recommending everyone to host a "swine flu party”.

The answer is FALSE. "Swine flu parties" are gatherings during which people have close contact with a person who has novel H1N1 flu in order to become infected with the virus. The CDC does not recommend "swine flu parties" as a way to protect against novel H1N1 flu in the future. While the disease seen in the current novel H1N1 flu outbreak has been mild for many people, it has been severe and even fatal for others. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an individual or, equally important, for others to whom the intentionally infected person may spread the virus. The CDC recommends that people with novel H1N1 flu avoid contact with others as much as possible. If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

11. How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?

A. 8 hours
B. 12 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 48 hours

The answer is A. Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

12. TRUE OR FALSE: A person can get infected with novel H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork.

The answer is FALSE. Novel H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

13. TRUE OR FALSE: If I get sick with flu-like symptoms I should proceed with my daily activities.

The answer is FALSE. If you live in areas where people have been identified with novel H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.