1. The flu virus is extremely fragile and will remain viable for only minutes when exposed to air. However, it can remain viable for 2 to 8 hours if protected from air exposure by materials such as respiratory secretions, which can be deposited on environmental surfaces by infected persons. (ref: CDPH Health Alert)

2. Approximately one in every 100,000 swine flu vaccinations in 1976 resulted in Gullain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disease affecting the nerve cells, which can result on paralysis. (ref. CDC, Questions and answers on GBS)

3. The multi-dose seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Influenza injectable vaccine will contain the thimerasol, a mercury based preservative. The intra-nasal version of the vaccine will not. (ref: CDC, General questions and answers on thimerasol).

4. Treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) is recommended for all persons with suspected or confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization. (ref: CDC, Treatment recommendations)

5. The 2009 H1N1 influenza viral genome is made up of genes from pigs, birds, and humans, the combination of which has not been seen before, thus resulting in low immunity amongst the general population.

6. One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of 2009 H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to 2009 H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. (ref: CDC, 2009 H1N1 Flu)

7. On the average, every year 36,000 Americans die from the seasonal flu. Over 90% of these deaths occur in persons over the age of 65. (ref: CDC, 2009 H1N1 Flu)

8. As of September 4th, there have been 583 deaths due to 2009 N1N1 Influenza. (ref: USA Today Health)

9. On the average, people infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. The CDC recommends that infected persons stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone. (ref: CDC, 2009 H1N1 Flu)

10. Real-Time PCR testing is recommended for hospitalized patients. However, for community testing, a recent study by the CDC reports that the Quidel Rapid Influenza test kit had the highest sensitivity (69%) of those tested. The overall sensitivity for the season flu for the Quidel kit was 80%. (ref: CDC, Rapid test kits for influenzae)

11. Only N95 or higher rated face masks are recommended by the CDC. They are not recommended for use in low-risk non-health care settings. (ref: CDC, Recommendations for facemasks)

12. Of all subtyped Influenza A cases reported last week, 99% were 2009 H1N1 Influenza. (ref: CDC, FluView)