What you need to know about H1N1 influenza

No doubt you’ve heard about the H1N1 influenza outbreak that is currently spreading around the world. There is a lot of information and potential for misinformation across the different forms of media. Here are some facts about H1N1 influenza to give you some peace of mind and help you develop a plan for you and your family.

What is H1N1 influenza? The H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza that affects pigs but does not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with H1N1 influenza have occurred, most commonly with persons in direct exposure to pigs. With this recent outbreak, it appears human-to-human spread is occurring. Just like other types of influenzas the virus can spread through liquid droplets that get airborne from coughing or sneezing. You can also contract it by touching something with the live virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose. With most influenza strains, the virus can live for up to 8 hours on most surfaces.

What does a Level 6 alert from the World Health Organization really mean? On June 11, 2009 the WHO raised the raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This was in response to continued spread of the H1N1 flu virus around the world. This means that H1N1 flu virus is being transmitted easily among humans in more than one continental region and that the outbreak is now global. It is important to note that it does not reflect the severity of the illness, just the spread of the virus.

What is a pandemic? A pandemic flu is not your average flu – it’s an outbreak of a highly infectious illness on a large scale that is spread person to person. Historically there have been several outbreaks of pandemic flu during each century. During the last century, three flu pandemics occurred, the largest one in 1918.

In the current case of H1N1 influenza, more investigation and information is needed to determine how easily the virus spreads and whether it will become a full-blown pandemic.

What are the symptoms? H1N1 influenza symptoms are similar to those of regular human seasonal influenza. They include:

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Lack of appetite
  • Coughing
  • Headaches
  • In some cases, people have reported a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Does your seasonal flu vaccination protect you? It is unlikely that the seasonal flu shot will provide protection against H1N1 Flu Virus. The flu shot will protect against the seasonal flu.

What should I do if I have flu symptoms? Stay home and avoid public places. Before going to see a doctor or medical clinic, call first and let them know what your symptoms are and ask what they recommend you do.

How is H1N1 influenza diagnosed? In order to diagnose it, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 or 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding the virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed the virus for 10 days or longer.

How can I protect myself? The Public Health Agency advises Canadians to:

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer
  • Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve
  • Get your annual flu shot
  • Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if sick
  • Check www.fightflu.ca for more information
  • Check www.voyage.gc.ca for travel notices and advisories
  • Talk to a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms

Should I wear a mask for protection? The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend that members of the general public wear surgical masks to protect against contracting H1N1 influenza. Evidence shows that this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public. People often use masks incorrectly, or contaminate them when putting them on and taking them off, which could actually increase the risk of infection. Instead, we should continue to take normal precautions including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill.

Can I get it from eating pork? No. It’s safe to eat pork if it has been properly handled and cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F which kills off most bacteria and viruses, including the virus that causes H1N1 influenza.

Are antiviral drugs available and do they work in this case? Antivirals are drugs used for the prevention and early treatment of influenza. If taken shortly after getting sick (within 48 hours), they can reduce influenza symptoms, shorten the length of illness and potentially reduce the serious complications of influenza.

Antivirals work by reducing the ability of the virus to reproduce but do not provide immunity against the virus. H1N1 influenza can be treated with two different antivirals: oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Antiviral medications are prescription drugs. Initially, they may be obtained from a pharmacy with a regular prescription. There is a national stockpile of antiviral medication, and some provinces and territories also have their own stockpiles.

The good news is that it appears most people who have contracted H1N1 influenza are able to recover on their own, just like with most seasonal influenzas.

Should I cancel an upcoming trip to Mexico or the Southern US? The Public Health Agency of Canada recently issued travel warnings so be sure to check out the latest information (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub-eng.php). If travelling to affected areas, do the same things you would normally do to protect yourself and others during normal flu season. Wash your hands, cover coughs and sneezes, stay in if you are sick and get an annual influenza immunization (flu shot).

For more information, to book a counselling session, or to access any of your EFAP services our Client Services Representatives are ready to speak with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in English or French. All calls are completely confidential.

1.800.663.1142
1.866.398.9505 (en français)
1.888.384.1152 Hearing assistance (TTY)
604.689.1717 International (Call Collect)

Resources:

http://www.fightflu.ca/
http://www.who.int/en


 

H1N1 News Update,

October 22, 2009

Canada has launched a massive H1N1 Vaccination program this week with the formal approval of the vaccination. The Government of Canada has authorized the use of the H1N1 flu vaccine, which is called AREPANRIX and is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Getting the H1N1 flu vaccine is the best way for Canadians to protect themselves and others from getting infected. The Government of Canada has ordered enough vaccine for all Canadians who need and want protection. Certain groups of people are more at risk for complications of the flu, and will be encouraged to get the vaccine as soon as possible. These groups include pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, and children under the age of five.

For more details visit:

Recommendations for the use of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/vacc/rec-h1n1-eng.php

Latest News - H1N1 Flu Virus
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/archive-eng.php

October 8th 2009
(News Canada, Ottawa)

The potentially deadly H1N1 flu virus could hit 25 to 35% of Canadians in coming months, health officials warned as they urged Canadians to get the vaccine once it is available in early November. Canada’s chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, said this strain of the flu is so new that most Canadians won’t have the same immunity that they have had in the past to the regular strains of seasonal flu.

“At least at the beginning of the flu season, we expect it will be the pandemic H1N1 flu virus that will be circulating in communities across this country and to which very few of us will have any immunity.” Butler-Jones predicted three to four times more people will get sick from H1N1 than from the regular seasonal flu and he said vaccinations will be available for everyone who wants one. The vaccine is currently being produced in Quebec, Canadian clinical trials begin in mid-October and it will go through final stages of regulatory approval by the end of the month — with officials balancing speed and safety throughout.

“This is the largest immunization campaign in history,” said Butler-Jones. “We have to get it right”. "Keeping in mind that we've ordered enough vaccine for every Canadian that needs and wants to be immunized, our basic approach is to ensure that those that need it most get it first”. Since the whole vaccine order won't be available immediately, those in the priority groups will be encouraged to access the first seven to 10 million doses that should roll out by the third week of October to mid-November at the latest.

High Priority Groups Include:

  • People with chronic medical conditions under the age of 65.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Children six months of age to under five years of age.
  • People living in remote and isolated settings or communities.
  • Health-care workers involved in pandemic response or who deliver essential health services.
  • Household contacts and caregivers of individuals who are at high risk, and who cannot be immunized (such as infants under six months of age or people with weakened immune systems).

*Don’t forget to check back regularly for updated H1N1 updates and important information.