Always Ready, Always There 

H1N1 

Influenza 

July 2009 

NGB 

Joint Surgeon’s Office

1411 Jefferson Davis Highway 

Arlington, VA 22202-3231 

Force Health 

Protection 

Information

Use your Health Care Provider, 

Chain of Command, and the below 

websites as sources of information. 

Websites

http://www.flu.gov/ 

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ 

http://fhp.osd.mil/aiWatchboard/ 

Each State National Guard Joint 

Force Headquarters should be 

communicating with their 

leadership and civilian authorities 

to ensure they understand how 

their specific State’s Pandemic 

Influenza Plan includes them and 

how their Guardsmen may be 

utilized and, as appropriate, 

prioritized and included for future 

flu vaccines and other countermeasures. 

Immunizations

Obtain your SEASONAL 

INFLUENZA vaccine as soon as it 

is available to you unless advised 

otherwise by your health care 

provider. 

Vaccination will be an important 

countermeasure to both seasonal 

and H1N1 influenza. Efforts are 

underway to produce a safe and 

effective H1N1 vaccine. 

Further information regarding DoD, 

State, and Local efforts in planning 

for and executing an H1N1 

influenza vaccination campaign will 

be forthcoming. 
WASH HANDS OFTEN WITH WARM 

WATER AND SOAP, especially after 

you cough or sneeze — alcohol based 

hand cleansers are also effective 

Cover your nose and mouth with a 

tissue or use crook of elbow when you 

cough or sneeze 

Discard used tissues in trash cans 

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and 

mouth—Germs spread this way

Avoid close contact with sick people 

Clean surfaces of tables. desks, door 

knobs, keyboards, and phones 

Get adequate rest and eat well to help 

your body fight off infection 

Follow public health advice regarding 

social distancing 

NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU JOINT SURGEON’S OFFICE

FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION GUIDELINES 

H1N1 INFLUENZA

Preventive Measures

Individuals have an important role in 

protecting themselves and their families. 

Seek attention from a health care 

provider if you develop a fever, headache, extreme tiredness, cough, sore 

throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle 

aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. 

Limit contact with others if you are sick 

with flu-like symptoms. 

Stay home for at least 7-days after illness onset or until you have been 

symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is 

the greater period of time, except to 

seek medical care. This is to keep from 

infecting others and spreading the virus. 

A global pandemic of H1N1 influenza is 

underway. More than 70 countries have 

reported cases. All 50 of the states in the 

United States, District of Columbia, 

Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands have reported H1N1. Outbreaks are ongoing and 

in some cases with intense activity. 

H1N1 in conjunction with seasonal influenza poses the potential to cause significant illness. 

Although most who have become ill with 

H1N1 have recovered without significant 

medical care, it is anticipated, more 

cases, hospitalizations, and deaths associated with this pandemic will occur.

H1N1 is a new (novel) flu virus that first 

caused illness in Spring 2009. H1N1 flu 

spreads like seasonal influenza, mainly 

through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus, but it may 

also spread by touching infected objects 

and then touching your nose or mouth. 

H1N1 infection has been reported to 

cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms, 

including fever, cough, sore throat, body 

aches, headache, chills and fatigue. 

Some have also reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is important for all 

to recognize their risk for exposure, understand what symptoms prompt medical 

attention and taking appropriate measures to mitigate infecting others.

Background Response Measures