What is Influenza A(H1N1)?

Influenza A(H1N1) is different from the ordinary or seasonal flu that occurs every winter.

  • It has spread rapidly around the world
  • It could be highly infectious
  • It may affect large numbers of people
  • It is likely to cause more severe illness than ordinary flu
  • It may cause more deaths than ordinary flu
  • It may occur in two or more waves several months apart – with each wave possibly lasting weeks or months

Symptoms

These may the same as ordinary flu but they will probably be sudden, and may be severe. They may include:

  • Temperature over 38ºC/100.4ºF and some of the following:
  • Dry cough
  • Headache
  • Severe weakness and fatigue
  • Aching muscles and joints
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Vomiting / diarrhoea

These can lead to complications some of which may be severe.

Is It Influenza or a Cold?



Influenza Cold

  • High fever usual (> 38º)

  • Fever unusual

  • Headache usual

  • Headache unusual

  • Aches and Pains

  • Slight aches and pains

  • Fatigue and weakness (2-3 weeks).

  • Mild fatigue and weakness

  • Extreme exhaustion (early and severe)

  • Exhaustion never extreme

  • Stuffy nose sometimes/sore throat common.

  • Stuffy nose/sore throat common.

  • Vomiting and Diarrhoea.

  • Sneezing usual

  • Chest discomfort common (may be severe).

  • Mild to moderate chest discomfort

  • Hacking Cough

  • Usually no cough.

    • If you suspect that you have Influenza

    • Stay at home.
    • Do not go to work or attend your G.P.
    • Call your G.P for further advice or call the free phone National Flu Information Help Line at 1800941100.
    • If you are in employment inform your Manager or Head of Department of your status as soon as possible.
    • Stay at home for up to 7 days from the onset of your symptoms, or until you fully recover. Most people with flu will recover within a few days.
    • Some people may be at higher risk. This means that potentially there is a serious health impact to that person’s health, if they contract the illness.

    Risk Groups

    Defined risk groups include patients with:

    • Pregnant women
    • Persons with a BMI greater than 40,
    • Asthmatics
    • Diabetics
    • Persons with Chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease,
    • Persons who are immuno-compromised
    • Persons over 65 years of age
    • Children under 5 years of age

    If you are one of these groups, and you suspect that you have Influenza or have been in close contact with someone you suspect has Influenza, then you should contact your G.P by telephone immediately.

    If you are an adult and you start to feel worse having taken the basic treatment steps advised by your G.P, you should again contact your G.P by phone, or the National Flu Information (Telephone number mentioned above).

    Worsening symptoms can include any of the following

    • Shortness of breath at rest, or while doing very little.
    • Painful or difficult breathing.
    • Coughing up bloody sputum.
    • Drowsiness.
    • Disorientation and Confusion.
    • Fever for 4-5 days, and you are not starting to feel better (or getting worse).
    • Starting to feel better, then developing high fever, and feeling unwell again.

    Travel

    There are currently (August 09) no restrictions on National or International travel. Please note that some Airlines are not allowing travel for anyone who is ill. You should not travel if you are ill, and you should consider not travelling if you are at high risk e.g. if you are a close contact. You should consult regularly travel advisory information at the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Websites mentioned below.

    How do people get infected?

    Flu viruses may spread when a person’s hands touch respiratory droplets on another person, or an object, and they then touch their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose), before washing their hands. The flu virus can survive on environmental surfaces –
    According to the US CDC - for up to 2-8 hours
    According to the UK NHS – Soft surfaces 8-12 hours, Hard surfaces 24-72 hours.

    If you have Influenza symptoms

    • Do not go to work.
    • Stay at home, and telephone your G.P, if Influenza is confirmed by your G.P, you should stay at home for at least 7 days from the onset of symptoms.

    If you have come in to contact with a person who has Influenza.

    • Go about your normal activities.
    • You can go to work, but you should monitor your symptoms carefully. If at any stage you develop Influenza like symptoms you should call your G.P for advice. If you are a member of a high risk group you should also call your G.P for advice.

    Should I wear a face Mask?

    No, this is not required if you are healthy unless you are involved in caring for someone who is ill with Influenza.

    How can I protect myself from catching Influenza?

    • Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and frequently. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective, if washing facilities are not available.
    • Avoid unnecessary close contact with people who have Influenza or have symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or shivering.
    • Make sure children and others in your care follow this advice.

    As the situation is constantly evolving, people are advised to keep up to date by regularly accessing the following Websites for information on the Pandemic.

    Websites

    Clients are advised to regularly consult the following websites:

    HSE also have a 24 hr helpline 1800 941100