Protect yourself and others: H1N1 flu virus
Q & A
What is H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu)?
H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) is a variant of normal seasonal influenza that contains bits of viruses from birds, pigs and humans.
Why are people concerned about this particular strain?
The strain of H1N1 Flu Virus is a new, or novel, influenza virus.
Since this is a new strain, people will likely have no natural immunity to protect against the virus. International experts are concerned that this strain could spread quickly.
Investigation is underway to learn more about the way the virus spreads. Governments around the world and the World Health Organization are engaged to investigate and address this situation. As with any flu, people considered at risk are the very young, the elderly, and people with chronic illness, in particular, those with chronic respiratory illness.
How is H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) spread?
H1N1 is likely spread from person to person via the respiratory route, the same as seasonal influenza. Coughs and sneezes release the germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where they can be picked up on hands and transmitted to the respiratory system when someone touches their mouth and/or nose.
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before becoming sick and up to seven days after. It takes between two and seven days for a newly infected person to show symptoms.
How severe is the H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu)?
The majority of cases of H1N1 flu so far reported in Canada and the United States have been mild. Some of the cases reported in Mexico have been more severe, involving primarily healthy young people who rapidly progressed from mild illness to severe respiratory distress. Some illnesses have resulted in death.
What should I expect if I contract this flu?
People with H1N1 flu experience the same symptoms as with regular seasonal flu:
- Headache
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fever
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- Weakness/fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
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What should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, contact your health care provider. Stay home if you are ill. We all have a responsibility to do our best to limit the spread of this illness.
Early research indicates that there are two prescription antiviral drugs, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) that are effective in treating the H1N1 Flu Virus.
How do I know if it is H1N1?
For most people the H1N1 flu looks like any other flu. The only real way to confirm the presence of H1N1 is through antibody testing. This testing is being done in some work environments where there is a concern for public safety. The challenge with this type of testing is that it takes more than a week to get a result, and by then, for most people, they are well on their way to recovery. For the vast majority of people, the management for this flu is the same as any other; stay home, rest, drink fluids, and if needed, use over the counter medication to combat flu symptoms such as pain and fever.
How long can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. This means that individuals who think they may have symptoms should wash hands, cover cough/sneeze and contact their doctor.
How long does the virus live outside of the body?
The H1N1 flu virus can live outside the body on hard surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastic, for 24-48 hours and on soft surfaces, such as cloth, paper, and tissues for less than 8-12 hours; however, it can only infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on hard surfaces, and for up to a few minutes after being deposited on soft surfaces.
Is this being called a ‘pandemic’ because it is so severe?
A decision to label an illness a pandemic is NOT based on severity. Pandemic influenza is defined as a new influenza virus that spreads easily between humans and affects a wide geographic area. The term pandemic refers simply to numbers affected worldwide, and a rate of spread. The H1N1 is anticipated to affect about 11,000,000 people worldwide, but the great majority will experience this as a typical flu virus. The majority of Canadian cases of H1N1 flu virus have experienced mild illness and have recovered at home. Overall, the World Health Organization is describing this pandemic as moderate.
How can I protect myself?
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly or use an alcohol-hand sanitizer . Proper handwashing is the single most effective protection against transmission of the flu virus.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm, not in your hands
- Stay home if you are ill
- Avoid using telephones that are used by many people. Wipe with a disinfectant towelette prior to use if you are unsure.
- Avoid people who are ill
- Get adequate rest
Read more on how to stop the spread of germs.
How can I protect my family?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze in your sleeve if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Keep personal items separate if a household member is sick. Use a disinfectant to clean surfaces around a person who is sick with the influenza. Do not share personal items or drinks.
Should I get a flu shot?
It is unlikely that the seasonal flu shot will provide protection against H1N1 flu virus. The flu shot will protect against the seasonal flu, which is still circulating in Mexico.
Canada will have an H1N1 vaccine available by early November. Enough pandemic vaccine will be produced to cover all Canadians. If you have MS, flu shots and vaccines are usually safe and are generally recommended after discussion with your physician. Once the vaccine is available, doctor’s offices may well be heavily booked so get in touch with your physician early to determine your plan for vaccination.
The question of whether flu shots and vaccines are safe for people with MS comes up frequently as it used to be thought that these inoculations posed a risk for triggering an MS attack. Dr. Paul O’Connor, National Scientific and Clinical Advisor to the MS Society of Canada suggests that flu shots and vaccines are usually safe and are generally recommended after discussion with one’s physician.
Will the vaccine be free for all Canadians, even those in provinces and territories that do no provide free seasonal influenza vaccine programs?
Decision on vaccine delivery and the administration of flu clinics is a provincial / territorial responsibility. The Government of Canada intends to pay 60 per cent of the cost of the vaccine purchase. Each province and territory will have to assess their capacity to deliver immunization clinics, and will have to make decisions around cost based on a number of logistical and ethical criteria.
Is wearing a mask recommended for the general population?
No. In keeping with the current directives from provincial and federal health authorities, Toronto Public Health is not recommending the use of face masks for the general population.
Is there a treatment for H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu)?
It appears that Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamavir) work to combat H1N1, so these drugs can be used to treat severe H1N1 cases if treatment is started within two days of symptom onset. Mild illness that appears to be going away on its own does not require treatment. H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) is resistant to amantadine.
Can I get H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) from eating pork?
No. Cooking destroys the virus.
Can the H1N1 flu virus be transmitted from humans to other animals, other than pigs, such as farm animals and household pets?
Scientists are currently conducting a range of studies to learn more about the H1N1 flu virus. Part of this work is focusing on the susceptibility of various species.
Adapted from Health Canada and Toronto Public Health
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