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Frequently asked questions about H1N1 flu
Need more information?
State Flu Hotlines:
Missouri: 877-358-4141
Kansas: 877-427-7317
Contact your local public health department:
Cass County, Mo.
816-380-8425
Clay County, Mo.
816-595-4200
Independence, Mo.
816-325-7185
H1N1 Info Line: 816-325-6300
Independence flu shot clinic calendar>
Jackson County, Mo.
816-404-6415
Flu Hotline: 816-404-6416
Johnson County, Kan.
913-894-2525 (Olathe)
913-826-1200 (Mission)
Flu Hotline: 913-826-1263
Flu Site: www.jocoflu.org
Kansas City, Mo.
816-513-6008
Leavenworth County, Kan.
913-250-2000
Miami County, Kan.
913-294-2431
Platte County, Mo.
816-858-2412
Ray County, Mo.
816-776-5413
Wyandotte County, Kan.
913-573-6704
Flu Info Line: 913-573-6712
How would I catch H1N1 flu (swine flu)?
Usually through contact with another person who is infected. This includes contact with airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
How long is an infected person contagious?
People with H1N1 flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they have symptoms, and possibly for up to 7 days after they become ill. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
How can I tell if I have flu or just a cold?
The symptoms are similar, but there are a few key differences.
| Symptom | Cold | Flu |
| Fever | Rare | Usually present |
| Body Aches | Slight | Usually present, often severe |
| Chills | Uncommon | Fairly common |
| Fatigue | Mild | Moderate to severe |
| Coughing | Hacking, productive | Dry, unproductive |
| Sneezing | Common | Uncommon |
| Stuffy Nose | Common | Common |
| Sore Throat | Common | Common |
| Chest Discomfort | Mild to moderate | Often severe |
| Headache | Uncommon | Common |
| Appetite | Normal | Decreased |
| Symptom Onset | Develop gradually | Sudden onset |
| Vomiting/Diarrhea | Uncommon | Common |
If I have flu symptoms, do I need a test to see if I have H1N1 flu?
Physicians and hospitals can do a rapid test (using a nasal swab) to determine if any influenza virus is present. Further lab tests would be needed to say for sure whether it is seasonal flu or H1N1 flu. But testing may not really be necessary. If you have flu symptoms, the treatment is the same, whether a test confirms influenza or not: stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours (meaning your temperature stays under 100 for 24 hours without taking any fever-reducing medications like Tylenol or Advil).
My child has flu symptoms. Should we go to the emergency room?
A good rule of thumb is to evaluate your child's symptoms the way you would have before you ever heard of swine flu. If your child had these same symptoms a year ago, would you have felt they were severe enough to warrant a trip to the ER? If not, then you probably don't need to go to the ER now, either.
In some cases, though, children and adults with flu symptoms do need treatment. According to flu.gov, you should seek medical attention for any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Purple or blue discoloration of your lips
- Vomiting and the inability to keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing or being unable to urinate
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Get a flu shot, wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you are sick. See our prevention tips for more information.
Where can I get a flu shot?
See our vaccination information page or contact your local health department (list at right).
Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. H1N1 flu viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get H1N1 flu from eating pork or pork products.
How long can the flu virus remain on surfaces -- for example, if an infected person sneezes on a table or desk?
Studies have shown that flu virus can survive on surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface. Keep surfaces clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
Why aren't elderly people on the priority list for vaccination?
Cases of H1N1 flu are relatively rare in people more than 65 years old. The infection rate for people 65 years and older is 20 times lower than for people 5-24 years old, with only 1.3 cases per 100,000 people over 65, compared to 26.7 cases per 100,000 for ages 5-24. The average age for H1N1 infection is 17 years, with roughly 80 percent of cases occurring in persons under age 35.