H1N1 Flu Guidance from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control

H1N1 Flu and Patients With Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease and Stroke):

Patients should see Interim Guidance for People With Heart Disease, Stroke, or Cardiovascular Disease.

Patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are at increased risk of experiencing an acute exacerbation of disease during influenza epidemics.

Patients with CVD risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, obesity, and family history of premature heart disease might be considered for priority care over healthy individuals but not before health care providers, the very young, elderly people, and the ill.

Health care providers should be aware that influenza might produce increased numbers of cardiovascular events, leading to increased hospitalizations and use of resources to treat acute coronary events, heart failure, and stroke. Consideration should be given for having adequate supplies of commonly used cardiovascular medications for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events.

In addition to these CDC guidelines, be aware of the following recommendations from CDC:

• Cover your cough
• Wash your hands frequentlyWash your hands frequently
• If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hrs after that fever has ended
• Get a vaccine when it becomes available – if you are eligible; talk to your doctor
• If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care.
• If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
• If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Hotlines

Additional information may be available from one of the following hot lines:

CDC-INFO

800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

TTY: 888-232-6348

English, Spanish

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov