- With Mayo Clinic internist
James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
James Steckelberg, M.D.
Dr. James Steckelberg is chairman of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic, a consultant and a professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School.
A native of Fremont, Neb., Dr. Steckelberg was a Rhodes Scholar and graduated from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine as a resident in internal medicine and a fellow in infectious diseases, and is board certified in both. He is the former director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Steckelberg belongs to numerous professional organizations. He is a founding member of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society of America and a fellow with the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. He has served on many Mayo Clinic committees and is a member of the Department of Medicine Leadership Committee and the executive committee of the Division of Infectious Diseases. He also served on the editorial boards of "Mayo Clinic Proceedings" and "Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy" and has been an editorial reviewer for more than a dozen publications.
Dr. Steckelberg's research interests include experimental models of infection, epidemiology of infection, and antimicrobial resistance and therapy of bacterial infections.
Definition (2)
- H1N1 flu (swine flu): How serious is the global threat?
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) pandemic: What does it mean?
Symptoms (2)
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) symptoms: Self-care for the flu
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) symptoms: Is fever always present?
Complications (1)
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) and pregnancy: Are special precautions necessary?
Prevention (5)
- Flu school closing: Any benefit?
- Flu vaccine: Safe for people with egg allergy?
- Flu mask: Should I wear one?
- see all in Prevention
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Question
H1N1 flu (swine flu): How serious is the global threat?
What's the real story about swine flu? I've heard it called a pandemic, but I'm not sure what that means.
Answer
from James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
You're not alone in your confusion about swine flu — specifically, the flu caused by novel swine influenza H1N1 virus, which was identified and designated a global pandemic in spring 2009. Because this is a new flu virus, everyone is vulnerable to infection.
Swine flu is one of the many type A influenza viruses. It's unusual for humans to catch swine flu, but occasional cases occur, usually in people who have contact with infected pigs. Like other flu viruses, the swine flu virus changes its DNA as it spreads, giving rise to a number of subtypes.
A new vaccine has been developed to protect against H1N1 swine flu. To reduce your risk of catching and spreading the virus:
- Keep tabs on respiratory symptoms. If you or someone in your family develops symptoms suggesting a cold or the flu, avoid crowds, and be alert for persistent or worsening symptoms, particularly a high fever.
- Stay home if you're sick. If you have swine flu or seasonal flu, don't go to work, school or public gatherings until you've had no fever and taken no fever-reducing medication for 24 hours. Unless your infection is unusually severe, fever and other symptoms should end in three to five days.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
- Be prepared. Ask your health care provider or county health department about immunization and infection-control plans.
H1N1 flu (swine flu) pandemic: What does it mean?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swine influenza A (H1N1) infection in two children — Southern California, March - April 2009. MMWR. 2009;58:400.
- Health advisory. Investigation and interim recommendations — Swine influenza H1N1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pubs. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Swine flu illness in the United States and Mexico — Update. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_26/en/print.html. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Swine flu — general info. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Swine flu travel alert notice. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Interim guidance on antiviral recommendations for patients with confirmed or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and close contacts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- H1N1 flu: Home care guidance — Physician to patient/parent. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare_directions.htm. Accessed Aug. 3, 2009
- CDC advisors make recommendations for use of vaccine against novel H1N1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090729b.htm. Accessed Aug, 3, 2009
