All You Need to Know
About H1N1 virus

Cases of swine flu or H1N1 virus are every where, it was first identified last April 24, 2009 in Mexico and U.S. then it spread like a wild fire all over the world. Now they call it a “Pandemic.”

People say it’s deadly so be very careful and others would say it’s just a new strain of influenza, nothing special compared to the seasonal flu so don’t panic. The question really is which is which? Is there any existing or available cure for this viral infection? And, when will this end? It’s confusing and at times frustrating to listen to all this news and advisories left and right.

Life is supposed to be simple so let’s try not to complicate this matter about H1N1 virus.

The goal of this article is to give you a comprehensive insight about the H1N1 virus. Learn from the examined facts and educational videos all the precautions you need as a member of the public and or as a health care staff.

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses), that affects birds and mammals. The name influenza comes from the Italian influenza, meaning "influence"(Latin: influentia). (Wikipedia)

Pandemics of influenza occur at regular intervals, approximately two or three times a century. The next pandemic is inevitable, although its timing and severity remain unpredictable. Influenza outbreaks have been described since recorded history.

There may be several circulating virus strains that cause regional outbreaks or epidemics. An important characteristic of the influenza virus is that it is complex and constantly changing. This is called "drift," and results in slightly different strains of virus each year. These changes in the virus make it possible for people to become reinfected in subsequent years. Vaccines are produced each year for new strains of influenza so the vaccine will effectively protect individuals each year.

Cumulative number of laboratory confirmed cases
of Influenza H1N1 virus Status as of June 22, 2009.

Time line of all H1N1 virus cases

Q: Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?
A: No, Influenza H1N1 virus (SOIV) is not transmitted through pork meat. Follow proper handling (food hygiene practices) and cooking procedures, this will help to reduce the risk of food borne illness. Use a food thermometer to confirm pork has been heated through 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit).

Q: How does influenza spread?
A: Human-to-human spread through “droplet” when the infected person coughs and sneezes, the viruses are released into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Aside from in the air, viruses can also stay on hard surfaces like doorknobs and counters, where they can be picked up on hands and spread when someone touches their mucous membranes, eyes, nose and or mouth.

Influenza can also be transmitted by bird droppings, saliva, nasal secretions, feces and blood. Infection can also occur through contact with these body fluids or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Airborne aerosols have been thought to cause most infections.

Q: What are the symptoms of H1N1 virus or "swine flu"?
A: Symptoms has slight variations but majority are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and includes fever, cough, muscle aches, lethargy, sneezing, difficulty of breathing, lack and or decreased appetite and coughing. Other people reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The current outbreak in Mexico seems to be associated with pneumonia and other severe lung problems, and milder forms of influenza.

Q: What is the incubation period for H1N1 virus or swine flu?
A: People usually develop symptoms of influenza from 1-3 days after becoming infected. There are some variations in the onset in Mexico, Canada and US. Public Health is allowing for incubation period of up to 10 days as a precaution.

Q: How long is a person contagious if they develop H1N1 virus or swine flu?
A: The infectious period for a confirmed case of swine flu has been defined as one day prior to the onset of illness in the case to 7 days after the onset of illness.

An infected person with Influenza is most contagious for the first 3-5 days, but health officials are asking people with symptoms to stay at home until symptoms have resolved as a precautionary measure.

Q: How is H1N1 virus or swine influenza diagnosed?
A: If a person is suspected to have influenza, a nasopharyngeal or throat swab may be done and sent to the lab for confirmation. Swine influenza may take more time to be diagnosed; other tests such as blood work may also be ordered.

Q: How can I protect myself from H1N1 virus?
A: Washing hands is still the universal precaution - thoroughly wash with soap and warm running water, or use hand sanitizer.

Proper hand washing video

Q: What does Pandemic Level 6 means?
A:The WHO has determined that the current situation with H1N1 Influenza a virus (geographic spread to 74 countries, with sustained community spread is at least two WHO regions) fulfills the criteria for declaring Pandemic Phase 6.

Q: Is there a vaccine to protect against H1N1 virus or human swine flu?
A: A vaccine formulated for one year may be ineffective in the following year, since the influenza virus evolves rapidly, and new strains quickly replace the older ones. Generally, antivirals are not indicated for mild influenza.

Antivirals should be used to treat people who have more severe illness, not people who are only mildly ill. If there is excessive use of antivirals, the virus can begin to adapt and develop resistance, which means the drugs are no longer effective in treating the illness.

The Human Influenza a H1N1 virus(SOIV) is sensitive to Tamiflu and Relenza. Roche Canada recently announced they will release Relenza to retail pharmacies. Relenza ®is a trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies. Tamiflu ® is a trade mark of Roche.

Glaxo’s Relenza GlaxoSmithKline issued an update regarding influenza A (H1N1 virus)last Friday May 1, 2009. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released 25 percent of its stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza, according to Secretary Janet Napolitano, the third United States Secretary of Homeland Security and is the first woman to serve in that office.

Your local health authority would be involved in your follow-up; however, antivirals must be prescribed by a physician. Generally, antivirals are not indicated for mild influenza and are therefore not indicated at this time.

A. Universal Precaution

 Wash your hands with water and soap or use a sanitizer before and after patient care including after you remove your gloves. (some gloves are porous they have tiny holes that are invisible to the human eye)
 Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) gloves, gown, goggles and masks depending on the clinical assessment of the patient’s symptoms.
 Use of surgical mask combined with hand hygiene will be necessary.

B. Use N95 Masks:

N95 respirators that do not require fit testing should not used or purchased from any vendor or supplier. Contact your local health office for consultation and more inquiries.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has a general inquiries hotline at 1-800-454-8302. Further information, resources and updates for the public are available, check the following websites below:

World Health Organization

Public Health Agency of Canada

United States Department of Health and Human Services

WHO - South East Asia

Click here for Current Situation Updates

Q: What does the word Pandemic means?
A: Pandemic (from Greek ðᾶí pan "all" + äῆìïò demos "people") is a spread of infectious disease through human populations across a large region, like a continent, or even worldwide.

A global outbreak of a new strain of influenza a virus subtype H1N1, identified in April 2009 and commonly referred to as swine flu, which infects and is transmitted between humans and mammals. It is thought to be a mutation of four known strains of influenza a virus subtype H1N1: one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine).

The WHO has indicated that the overall level of severity of the pandemic to be MODERATE.

• The overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery without the need for hospitalization or medical care.

• Overall, national levels of clinically severe or fatal cases of respiratory illness appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods-- although in some local areas and institutions, high levels of disease have occurred.

• Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries generally have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care -- although in some localities, some facilities and systems have been stressed.

Here you go these are the facts regarding H1N1 virus.

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