By Michelle Oleson / SPECIAL

With flu season rapidly approaching, people everywhere are wondering what to expect from the H1N1 flu. This latest flu strain hitting the Northern Hemisphere first in April 2009 is surfacing again and is keeping health care professionals busy educating people on how to prevent it, what the symptoms are and what people should do if they become sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), H1N1 is thought to be spread much like the seasonal flu. When people infected with H1N1 cough or sneeze, the virus contaminates surfaces. When others touch those surfaces, then touch their mouths or noses, they can become infected as well.

“The most important thing to remember is that there are a few everyday measures people can take to prevent H1N1,” said Titu Das, MD, infectious disease physician at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. “Frequent hand-washing with soap or alcohol-based gel, staying away from people who are sick, keeping household surfaces clean and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth before washing hands can go a long way when it comes to staying healthy this flu season.”

While a vaccine for H1N1 is still in the midst of clinical trials and may be available this fall, Dr. Das recommends people still receive the seasonal flu vaccine by the end of December, if not sooner, to protect them from the seasonal flu. This is especially true for children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with certain chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes.

Symptoms of H1N1 resemble those of the seasonal flu and include fever, chills, fatigue and cough. Some people who have had H1N1 have also reported symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea.

“People with H1N1, like the seasonal flu, can obtain relief from symptoms by using over-the counter medications (no aspirin for those under 18 years of age), as well as anti-viral prescription medications,” said Rabiul Alam, MD, infectious disease physician at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. “However, the illness must be detected within two days of symptoms onset for anti-viral medicines to work at optimal levels, so people need to see a doctor early.”

To prevent spreading H1N1, Dr. Alam also stressed the importance of staying home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. This means the fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Avoid contact with others as much as possible by staying home from work or school, avoiding shopping, travel and any other public gatherings. People who are at a high risk for flu complications should contact their health care provider or seek medical attention.

Case reports and several epidemiologic studies show that pregnancy increases the risk for flu complications for the mother, and might also increase the risk for adverse perinatal outcomes or delivery complications. The CDC strongly recommends doctors treat pregnant women with flu-like symptoms as soon as possible – without waiting for flu test results.

“Because we haven’t experienced H1N1 before, there is no way to tell how virulent the strain will be this year,” said Dr. Das. “But, if people take the same precautions they would take to avoid any flu, they have a much better chance of staying healthy. Eat a balanced diet, limit the spread of germs by covering your mouth when you sneeze, wash hands frequently with soap and stay home when you’re sick.”

That sounds like good medicine.

Dr. Titu Das and Dr. Rabiul Alam are Infectious Disease specialists on staff at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.