How Does H1N1 Spread?

1. Coughing and sneezing

H1N1 spreads mainly through respiratory particles released by an infected person.

When an infected person coughs or sneezes, virus-containing respiratory droplets and particles can reach people nearby.

2. Talking and breathing

An infected person can release infectious respiratory particles while talking and breathing, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor environments.

3. Close contact

Being close to an infected person, particularly for prolonged periods, increases the possibility of transmission.

4. Contaminated hands and surfaces

The virus can sometimes spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and subsequently touches their mouth, nose or eyes.

People can also spread influenza before they realize they are sick. Healthy adults may be infectious beginning approximately one day before symptoms and for several days afterward, with the greatest contagiousness generally occurring during the first few days of illness.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Complications?

Although anyone can develop influenza, complications are more likely in certain groups, including:

• Children younger than 5 years
• Adults 65 years and older
• Pregnant women
• People with asthma or chronic lung disease
• People with heart disease or diabetes
• People with weakened immune systems
• Some people with other chronic medical conditions

Possible Complications

Most otherwise healthy people recover from influenza within about a week, although cough and tiredness may persist longer. However, H1N1 can sometimes cause serious complications such as:

• Pneumonia
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Worsening of underlying medical conditions
• Secondary infections
• Hospitalization
• Rarely, death

Severe illness is particularly concerning in people at higher risk.

Diagnosis

A doctor may suspect influenza based on symptoms, examination and the local influenza situation.

Laboratory testing can confirm influenza. RT-PCR testing is commonly used when definitive laboratory confirmation is required. Rapid influenza tests are also available but may be less sensitive than molecular testing.

Because COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can produce similar symptoms, clinical assessment may be important when the diagnosis is uncertain.

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