Influenza A (H1N1)

In the wake on the new Influenza type A(H1N1) virus, you are requested to take note of the following, that has been adapted from the UN publication :-



1. Things you should know about human influenza viruses:



• They spread through infected droplets from breathing passages.

• Droplets are expelled by talking, spitting, coughing, sneezing.

• The droplets spread about 1 meter (3 feet) from the infected person, either directly to other people or indirectly through hands and other surfaces.

• The viruses can live for several hours on hard surfaces, or on cloth and paper.

• If healthy people touch infected hands, doorknobs, keyboards, telephones, etc., they can infect them­selves by touching mouths, noses or eyes.

• Sometimes the viruses can spread through the air.

• An infected person is most likely to spread the virus when he or she has fever and a cough.

• It is possible that an infected person will spread the virus a day before showing signs of illness.



2. How do you know you have influenza ?

A. Seasonal Influenza:

• Fever

• Headache

• Aching muscles

• Exhaustion and feeling weak

• Loss of appetite

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Dry cough



B. Pandemic Influenza:

While the first symptoms of pandemic influenza might be similar to seasonal flu symptoms, how the symptoms develop will depend on the nature of the specific virus. It is likely that most people will recover without needing medical attention, but the following symptoms may help you decide if you need to seek medical help:



• Shortness of breath while resting or doing very little work

• Persistent fever for 4 or 5 days

• Painful or difficult breathing

• Coughing up a lot of phlegm or bloody sputum

• Wheezing

• You are feeling better and then you develop a new fever or worsening cough with sputum

• You feel very drowsy and others have difficulty waking you up or note you seem confused or disorientated



3. What you should do in the event of 2B above



Should you or should you know of anyone with symptoms as in 2B above, please seek advice or advise them to seek medical attention immediately and follow the advice of the doctors.



4. How do you reduce your risk of contracting Influenza?

A. Personal Hygiene

The practice of good personal hygiene is one of the most effec­tive strategies any individual can implement to reduce their risk of being infected by the influenza virus.



Important points are:

• Cover the nose and mouth with the sleeve when coughing or sneezing (not with the hand, as that contaminates the hand for touching and spreading organisms further);

• Use a tissue for cleaning/blowing the nose, and dispose of it after use;

• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, using a tissue, or touching any surface that may have become contaminated by a prior user. If using a surgical mask, dispose of it carefully after use and wash hands;

· Wash hands with soap and water (preferable) or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner;

· When you wash your hands, wash for at least 20 seconds, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are cleaned.

• Become “touch aware”, and avoid touching surfaces that are likely to have been touched by others (door handles, stair railings, etc)