Q: What makes H1N1 alarming?

A: Most of us don't have immunity against it. Also, younger people appear to be more vulnerable than the elderly. That is different from the seasonal flu, which tends to affect the elderly more than the young.

Q: Why does H1N1 generally not affect the elderly to the degree that it affects younger people?

A: It's possible that a virus circulated in the 1950s with similarities to H1N1, and thus older people may have a measure of immunity to H1N1.

Q: What are some misconceptions about all this?

A: That you can get H1N1 from pork products — you can't. That a flu shot can give you the flu — it won't.

Prevention

Q: When will we have a vaccine against the H1N1 flu?

A: A vaccine is expected to be available about Oct. 15. There's always a possibility of delays.

Q: Who will determine what groups are first to receive the vaccinations?

A: The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of experts who make recommendations on the administration of vaccines. The priority groups they've established include pregnant women; health care providers and emergency medical service providers; household members and caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age; children and adolescents up to 24 years of age; and people 25 to 65 years of age with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and other problems.

Q: Why are pregnant women more susceptible?

A: It's not clear, but probably because their immune systems aren't functioning as well as they normally do. Also, the fetus presses upward, decreasing the lungs' efficiency, and the heart works harder because blood volume increases.

Q: Is the vaccine safe?

A: Health officials say the H1N1 vaccine will be as safe as the vaccine for the regular seasonal flu. It is being made with the same methods that manufacturers use to produce the seasonal flu vaccine.

Q: Is it true that we'll need two vaccinations against the H1N1 flu?

A: Most likely we will need two, probably taken 21 days apart. There are current studies that suggest only one shot will be needed for adults.

Q: What will the vaccination cost?

A: The federal government is providing the vaccine, which means it will be provided free of charge to those who get the shots, including the cost of needles and syringes. However, some places may charge an administrative fee, possibly in the $15 range or more. Some insurance plans are expected to cover that fee. Vaccinations at clinics organized by the West Central District Health Department will be free of charge.

Q: Will my seasonal flu shot protect me from H1N1?

A: No.

Q: Will there be enough vaccine left over for everybody else? When might they get their shots?

A: The federal government indicates there will be enough. Those not in risk groups will be able to get their shots as soon as the target groups have had a chance to get theirs.

Q: What else can I do to protect my family and myself from H1N1 flu?

A: Wash your hands frequently, for about 15 seconds or the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” two times, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers; cover your coughs with your shirt sleeve, hand or a tissue; stay home when sick; and stay away from sick people.

Symptoms and treatment

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some who have been infected also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Q: How long does it take for the flu to run its course and what are treatment options?

A: It runs its course in several days, just like seasonal flu. In severe cases and in people with underlying health problems, an antiviral medicine might be prescribed. That is usually unnecessary in people who are otherwise healthy.

Q: At what point should you go to an urgent care or ER?

A: Get treatment right away if a sick person has chest pain or difficulty breathing; has lips turning purplish or blue; is vomiting and can't keep down fluids; and has signs of dehydration such as dizziness or absence of urination. In infants, that can be detected by an absence of tears when they cry.

Q: How long should sick people stay home?

A: Twenty-four hours after the fever is gone without the help of fever-reducing medicines such as Tylenol and Advil.

Q: How will schools decide whether to close because of an H1N1 outbreak?

A: Area health departments will assist schools in making such decisions, but they aren't expected to close unless there are too many staffers out with the illness. Nevertheless, situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Q: What else can parents do?

A: Have a contingency plan set up in case your child must stay home ill from school or day care and familiarize yourself with your employer's sick-leave policy.

Q: How great a disruption will the H1N1 flu cause?

A: Health departments are planning for the worst and hoping for the best. Planning has occurred for years for public health emergencies. Health departments have worked with medical professionals to address the ability to maintain medical and essential services in a severe public health emergency. Health departments also have worked with schools, businesses and government agencies to continue operating with fewer staffers and identify ways to work together.

Q: What's the worst-case scenario?

A: A virus that causes severe illness to the extent that schools and businesses need to close or the health care system is overwhelmed. West Central District Health officials said they have no evidence that the virus out there now has changed since last spring.