Advice to sufferers
The following advice is for people who have been identified as someone who may be infected with Influenza A (H1N1). If you have not been identified as someone who may be infected there is more information under the General Information and Relatives & Carers sections.
What is Influenza A (H1N1)?
Influenza (“flu”) is a viral infection which affects the respiratory tract. The virus is commonly found in animals, such as pigs, and sometimes spreads from them to humans. This has happened with Influenza A (H1N1), and there is now evidence that it can spread between people. The infection seems to have started in Mexico and has spread to some other countries, such as the USA. Anti-viral treatment is available to treat the infection.
How is it spread?
Influenza A (H1N1) is spread in the same way as seasonal influenza, which circulates mainly during the winter months. Influenza is spread by virus-containing respiratory secretions travelling from an infected person to a susceptible person by:
•Respiratory route – coughing, sneezing and talking
•Contact – virus that is left on surfaces can be picked up on other people’s hands which can then spread to their eyes and nose
What should I do now?
•Stay at home
•Drink plenty of fluids
•Rest
•Take any medication that has been prescribed for you by your doctor.
•Contact your doctor if you start to feel more unwell
How can I reduce the chance of spreading the virus?
It is very important that you follow this advice on hygiene to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.
Hand hygiene
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and then dry them thoroughly. Alcohol hand rubs can be used if water is not available and your hands are not visibly dirty. Clean your hands regularly and at the following times:
- Before handling food
- Before eating
- After contact with bdy secretions
- Before smoking
- Before touching your mouth, nose or eyes
- Before and after contact with contaminated surfaces
- After handling soiled items
Personal Hygiene
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue if possible. Then throw away the tissue in a bin as soon as possible and wash your hands.
If you don’t have a tissue use your sleeve rather than your hands.
Cleaning
Clean hard surfaces and frequently touched surfaces (e.g. door handles, computers, remote controls and taps) regularly with normal cleaning products.
What do I do when I start to feel better?
- Continue to rest and drink fluids
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
Are you suffering the symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1)?
Generally, a high fever and respiratory symptoms such as a cough or breathing difficulties could be a sign of HINI.
Common symptoms include a temperature of 38°C or more AND a flu-like illness such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, limb/joint pain, or headache. Diarrhoea and vomiting has been reported in 10 to 20% of affected people.
Advice for parents
Advice to nursery and school contacts of probable or confirmed cases
What is Influenza A (H1N1)?
Influenza (“flu”) is a viral infection which affects the respiratory tract. The virus is commonly found in animals, such as pigs, and sometimes spreads from them to humans. This has happened with Influenza A (H1N1), and there is now evidence that it can spread between people.
The infection seems to have started in Mexico and has spread to some other countries, such as the USA.
Anti-viral treatment is available for it.
How is it spread?
Influenza A (H1N1) is spread in the same way as seasonal influenza that circulates mainly during the winter months.
Influenza is spread by virus-containing respiratory secretions travelling from an infected person to a susceptible person by:
- Respiratory route – coughing, sneezing and talking
- Contact – virus that is left on surfaces can be picked up on other people’s hands which can then spread to their eyes and nose
What is the risk of my child getting Influenza A (H1N1)?
The risk is low. Even if the person your child has been in contact with has Influenza A (H1N1), the risk of you/your child catching it and being unwell with it is still low and most infections are mild.
Why does this concern me?
This is a new virus and we want to stop it spreading as much as possible. We do not want your child to get unwell, even if it is just with a mild infection.
Can my child still go out?
While your child can still go out, we recommend that, as far as possible, your child remains at home and does not mix with other children. As a precaution, the school or nursery will remain closed for a week.
What do I need to do?
1 – Watch out for any symptoms in your child in the next seven days. Symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) are:
- Fever (a body temperature higher than 38C)
- Respiratory symptoms such as a cough or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Other symptoms such as:
- Body aches/chills
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
2 – Follow any medical advice you have been given.
For example, your child may have been given a course of antiviral medication (Tamiflu) to help reduce the risk of developing the infection which they should complete.
3 – Reduce the chances of getting Influenza A (H1N1) through hand and personal hygiene
Key Advice
How can I protect myself against the influenza virus?
The key to reducing your chances of catching the influenza virus is good hygiene. This will help contain the spread of the virus among your family and friends and in the wider community.
All cold and flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that are spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue can reduce these droplets spreading to other people.
If you sneeze or cough into your hand, the droplets can spread from your hands onto any hard surfaces you touch so door handles, computer keyboards, telephones and TV remote controls. When other people touch these surfaces, the germs can enter their systems so they become infected.
What is Tamiflu?
Tamiflu aims to slow the spread of the virus throughout the body.
Tamiflu is not a cure, but it aims to:
- Prevent influenza from spreading by reducing the chance of close contacts of confirmed or probable cases becoming infected
- Reduce and shorten the symptoms once infected.
To be effective it needs to be started within 48hrs of symptoms appearing but it works best if started within a few hours.
Most people tolerate Tamiflu very well.
During the first one or two days nausea and/or vomiting occur in about 10% (10 in 100) of people who take Tamiflu. Stomach ache and headache are reported in 2% (2 in 100) of people taking Tamiflu.
Download the Anti-virals Patient Leaflet here.
Information on the adult dose of Tamiflu can be found here.
