Fact sheet: H1N1 flu

In April 2009 the flu caused by the H1N1 virus appeared in a new form – also called the “swine flu”. This germ will also continue to cause flu infections over the next few years. In Germany, the H1N1 flu has led to only mild symptoms for most people – and there are several things you can do to protect yourself. Some people, pregnant women for example, have a higher risk of more severe symptoms.

What are the symptoms of the H1N1 flu? How can I protect myself from this new flu virus? What treatment options are there? And who can I go to with questions on this topic?

What are the symptoms of the H1N1 flu?

Influenza, or flu for short, is an infection of the upper airways. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) describes the symptoms of the H1N1 flu as similar to the symptoms of “normal” influenza: sudden fever, fatigue, headache, aching limbs, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people who were infected by the new flu virus complained especially of congestion, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Even if these symptoms sound mostly harmless at first, every flu infection carries the risk of more severe symptoms and of complications like pneumonia, for example. It is mostly pregnant women and people who have a permanent condition such as chronic respiratory disease who have a higher level of risk.

How can I protect myself against infection?

To protect yourself from this new flu virus take the same precautions that you would for any other influenza virus. That means:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. You do not need to use special anti-bacterial soap or solution. Water and normal soap are fine.
• Keep your hands away from your face. You are very likely to infect yourself if you touch your mouth or nose after you have come into contact with something with the virus on it.
• Do not drink out of cups or bottles that others have used.
• Avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing during an influenza epidemic.
• Cover your nose and mouth if you have to cough or sneeze, ideally using a paper tissue.
• Dispose of used tissues correctly – do not leave them lying about where other people could come into contact with them. Also wash your hands after you have touched the tissues. Use paper tissues that are disposable.

The flu vaccine for the 2010/2011 season also contains a component of the new H1N1 virus from the year 2009. Flu vaccination is recommended by the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute for certain groups of people that have an increased risk of more severe symptoms. These include people over 60, people with chronic diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, as well as pregnant women. This recommendation is also for people who care for children, old or sick people – this group includes people working in nursing homes, hospitals or kindergartens, for example. You can read about how much protection a flu vaccination provides here.

You can find more information about how to protect yourself from the flu in our fact sheet on protection from respiratory viruses.

What treatment options are there?

Influenza is caused by viruses. Medications that fight against viruses multiplying in the body are called antiviral drugs and are prescription-only in Germany.

Two newer antiviral drugs were already used against the avian flu. These were the drugs oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (trade name Relenza). These newer medications belong to the class of "neuraminidase inhibitors" – which means they block the functioning of a protein (neuraminidase) that the virus needs to be able to multiply inside the body.

Antiviral medication must be taken soon after infection for there to be any effect at all. Because influenza usually passes within a week, it is probably already too late to take any medication if symptoms have already lasted for several days. It is also important to know that people who take this medication are most likely just as infectious as people who have the flu and do not take any medication.

These drugs can also be used to protect against infection by people who have close contact to people who have come down with the flu. This type of use is called preventative treatment ("prophylaxis" or "preventative therapy").

What happens during a flu epidemic?

Germany has prepared for the outbreak of flu with what is called a pandemic plan. A pandemic happens when a disease spreads across countries or even worldwide.

Should there be a great flu outbreak or epidemic of new virus types like the virus that caused the H1N1 flu, the newer flu medications (Tamiflu and Relenza) will probably be used for prevention and treatment, even if it is not certain how well they will actually be able to help. In the case of a flu epidemic it is important and effective to observe the rules of hygiene described here to prevent infection and the spread of the virus.

Where else can I get information?

Up-to-date information on the swine flu can be obtained from the Robert Koch Institute (www.rki.de/influenza - in German) or from the World Health Organization (www.who.int/topics/influenza/en).

In our influenza feature you can learn more about prevention and treatment, as well as about research on antiviral drugs.


This additional information has been provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for vaccine recommendations for Americans. CDC recommends influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.


Author: German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)

Next planned update: January, 2014. You can find out more about how our health information is updated here.

© IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care) Last update of this website: 05/11/2012