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What you need to know the H1N1 flu pandemic - Dr. Susy Hota
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| Dr. Susy Hota, Infection Prevention and Control Medical Specialist, UHN Infection Prevention and Control |
Dr. Susy Hota, Infection Prevention and Control Medical Specialist, shares what you need to know about the H1N1 flu pandemic
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
The symptoms of H1N1 range in severity from mild to severe. Most commonly, the symptoms of H1N1 are similar to those of the common flu: abrupt onset of a fever and cough or shortness of breath, with or without sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, fatigue or headache. Some other symptoms could include unusual eye pain and gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. A small group of people may experience complications or more severe illness. Symptoms such as extreme difficulties breathing, chest pains, fever that persists for more than three days, dizziness and confusion may indicate that more serious illness is present.
What should I do if I become ill with flu-like symptoms?
If you are feeling flu-like symptoms you should stay home and rest. The suggested timeline if you are a healthcare worker is to stay home for seven days and until your fever has disappeared for at least 24 hours. If you are not a health care worker and do not work with people who have significant health concerns, you may return to work once you are feeling better and no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours.
If your symptoms are severe as mentioned above, go to your closest Emergency Department. Otherwise, use your best judgment as you would with the regular flu, to determine whether you should visit your family doctor. If you work in a healthcare setting, you should report flu-like illness to your Occupational Health & Safety Department. They will provide you with the necessary advice on what to do next.
Please also remember to wash or sanitize your hands frequently, cough and sneeze into your sleeve and keep commonly touched surfaces in your home clean.
Should I get the flu shot? Will the flu shot prevent me from contracting H1N1?
It is currently suggested that everyone get their regular seasonal flu shot, as there may be some proportion of influenza this fall that is due to the usual seasonal strains. It is important to get your flu shot every fall, as seasonal influenza is a significant cause of respiratory infection every year. The seasonal flu shot will be available in mid-October.
The seasonal flu shot does not protect against H1N1 so individuals should also get the new H1N1 vaccine that will be released in November. For adults, this vaccine will likely be one shot and will be available through Toronto Public Health. Healthcare workers at UHN will be able to get the vaccine through the Occupational Health and Safety Department at their site. Plans for both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine campaigns are currently underway.
I'm pregnant and concerned I'm at a higher risk of contracting H1N1.Should I be concerned?
The likelihood of pregnant women contracting H1N1 is no different from that of the general public. However, pregnant women, especially those in the later stages of pregnancy, are at higher risk of complications from influenza than non-pregnant women. While most pregnant women have a typical course of uncomplicated influenza, illness can progress rapidly for others, requiring management in an ICU. As a high-risk group, early treatment with antivirals within 48 hours of symptoms may help to reduce the risk of complications in pregnant women. Influenza vaccination is also important to prevent infection in the first place. Both oseltamivir (the antiviral Tamiflu) and the H1N1 vaccine are considered safe options during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What actions can I take to stop the spread of influenza?
Practicing hand hygiene is the best thing you can do to stop the spread of influenza. Other prevention techniques include keeping surfaces clean, getting the H1N1 vaccine, and coughing/sneezing into your sleeve or a tissue.
Other countries, like Australia, have already experienced high volumes of H1N1 cases. Are we able to learn any lessons from their experiences?
Canada has learned two main things from Australia’s pandemic. The first is that there is regional variation, meaning that how people are affected by H1N1 can differ from region to region and even hospital to hospital. Second, although the ICUs are a very busy place during a pandemic, with good communication and coordination, Australian healthcare workers were able to manage the influx in patients. We have taken these lessons into account in our pandemic planning and continue to monitor the effect this pandemic is having on other countries.
Are visitors still allowed to visit patients at the UHN during the pandemic?
At this time UHN is not limiting visitors because of the pandemic. However, we ask that all visitors self-screen for symptoms of influenza prior to entering the hospital and go home if feeling ill. There are many signs at the hospital entrances reminding people to do so. If under extenuating circumstances you must visit a loved one and you have flu-like symptoms, you should immediately put on a surgical mask when you enter the hospital. Masks are available at the information booth, clinic reception desks and ward nursing stations. You must also clean your hands using the alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water very frequently. Once you have visited your loved one, you must leave the hospital directly.
