# 3245
You have to give them credit.
The CDC hasn’t been shy about revising their interim guidance on dealing with the H1N1 virus as new information has come available.
Today we get a new set of interim guidance for non-hospital settings, on the use of respirators and facemasks by the public.
These guidelines are based on the current understanding of the virulence of the novel H1N1 virus, and will no doubt change if changes to the virus are detected.
The guidance is lengthy, so I encourage you to read it in its entirety. But I’ll try to summarize it here with some excerpts.
First we are reminded of the standard precautions that we should all be taking now, and in the future, to prevent respiratory infections.
In areas with confirmed human cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions. No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These recommended actions are:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay home and minimize contact with others, including avoiding travel, for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
- Avoid close contact (i.e. being within about 6 feet) with persons with influenza-like illness.
Next the difference between a facemask and a respirator are defined. Respirators are the more expensive, more securely fitted masks usually marked as N95. Facemasks are the less expensive surgical mask.
The CDC the describes those at higher risk of complications from contracting this new flu virus. Most of the recommendations for wearing facemaks or respirators are aimed at these groups.
Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness from Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Infection
Groups of people at higher risk for severe illness from novel influenza A (H1N1) infection are thought to be the same as those people at higher risk for severe illness from seasonal influenza. These groups include:
- Children younger than 5 years old
- Persons aged 65 years or older
- Children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children who have pulmonary, including asthma, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes
- Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
Depending on whether you fall into any of these high risk groups, or not, you can look up the current CDC recommendation in the table below.
Since facemasks, when worn by those who are sick, can also protect those people in contact with them, the CDC also has facemask recommendations for them.
