Can you get swine flu in crowded places?

Answer 1

Yes, it is a highly contagious influenza virus and the best plan is to avoid crowded places if at all possible. Follow the precautions explained in the related questions below for how to avoid catching the virus, including frequent thorough hand washing, if you must be in public places where the Novel H1N1 virus is present.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended that if you must go out in communities with known active cases of the Novel H1N1 flu avoid crowded places. If you are at high risk due to age or underlying medical conditions, you should also consider wearing a specially fitted virus filtering facemask (not just a surgical facemask) or respirator.

CDC defines at risk persons as:

"Persons at increased risk of severe illness from influenza (i.e. high-risk persons) include those groups at higher risk for severe illness from seasonal influenza, including: children younger than 5 years old; persons aged 65 years or older; children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection; pregnant women; adults and children who have pulmonary, including Asthma, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders, such as Diabetes; adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV); and, residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities."

Answer 2

unlikely