MYTH | FACTS |
| H1N1 is the swine flu. | 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. |
| H1N1 flu will definitely be here this fall. | Timing is uncertain. It is not known when flu activity will increase, when it will be most intense (peak), what viruses will circulate, or how long the season might last. |
| H1N1 is spread by healthy pigs. | Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. |
| The best way to protect myself is to avoid all public places. | The best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer until it dries (must be at least 60% alcohol). |
| You can get H1N1 flu by eating pork. | 2009 H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. |
| I might get swine flu by going to the Petting Zoo or Barn areas at the Fair. | There is no evidence that H1N1 virus spreads from pigs to people. However, it’s common sense to wash your hands after touching any farm animal, particularly before eating. |
| It’s impossible to kill the H1N1 virus. | Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. |
| Tap water can transmit the H1N1 virus. | Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. |
| I should ignore flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. | If you are sick with flu-like illness, 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.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. |
| If I get sick with a fever, that means I have swine flu and need to go to the hospital. | If you are otherwise healthy and begin to show any kind of flu symptoms (coughing, sneezing, head and body aches, chills) you should stay home rather than risk further infection from others in a hospital or doctors’ office waiting room, or infecting someone else. But people with a serious pre-existing health problem – including asthma or lung disease or immune disease – should seek medical treatment at the start of their symptoms. People should seek immediate treatment if there is difficulty breathing, dizziness, symptoms continue without getting worse, etc. |