Questions & Answers

What are the Symptoms of A (H1N1) influenza?

The symptoms of swine influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

If someone who has been to affected areas is feeling sick what should they do?

Anyone who has recently traveled to the affected areas and is experiencing influenza-like illness should stay at home to limit contact with others, and seek medical advice from your local health centre or by contacting our hotline at HGH emergency department.

Is it safe to travel?

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.

Influenza A (H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The focus now is on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally. Furthermore, although identifying the signs and symptoms of influenza in travelers can be an effective monitoring technique, it is not effective in reducing the spread of influenza as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modeling indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease.

Travelers can protect themselves and others by following simple recommendations related to travel aimed at preventing the spread of infection. Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases and not only Influenza A(H1N1).

Advice to returned travellers from countries affected by A (H1N1) influenza

Symptoms of A (H1N1) influenza are similar to those of seasonal influenza, usually a feverish illness accompanied by one or more or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches. For most people this illness appears to be mild. Infection with this virus is treatable with the anti-viral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zamanivir (Relenza®).

What should I do if I have returned from a country affected by A (H1N1) influenza?

If you have recently visited one of the countries or areas where human cases of influenza have been identified, it is important for you to monitor your health closely for seven days after your visit to the affected area. There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well.

If during this period you develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, you should contact your local health centre or seek advice from our hotline. You should make sure that you tell those from whom you are seeking advice about your recent travel to an area affected. Depending on your symptoms you may be advised that further investigations may be necessary.

If further investigations are felt to be needed you will be advised on appropriate arrangements for you to be tested. This may include admission to hospital. For most cases however, you will be well enough to remain at home. It is important you avoid contact with other people as much as possible until the results of your tests are back. Your household contacts should also monitor their health and follow the above advice if they get symptoms.

Should you develop symptoms you should follow standard respiratory and hand hygiene and ensure that:

• You avoid contact with other people as much as possible
• You cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
• Clean hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• Make sure your children follow this advice

Is treatment available?

Testing has shown that the human A (H1N1) influenza can be treated with the antivirals oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Most of the previously reported A (H1N1) influenza cases recovered fully from the disease without requiring medical attention and without antiviral medicines.

Is this A (H1N1) flu virus contagious?

It has been determined that this virus is contagious and it spreads between people, although it is not known how easily.

What level of alert have we reached and what does this mean?

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on Tuesday 29 April 2009. The Director-General of WHO is the decision maker in terms of elevating the global stages of pandemic alert. Experts from around the world are working in close collaboration with WHO to help determine what risk this situation poses to global public health.

The current phase 5 is characterised by ‘human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalise the organisation, communication and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short'.

What is the difference between seasonal influenza, avian influenza, A (H1N1) influenza and an influenza pandemic?

Influenza viruses are commonly circulating in the human and animal environment. Different strains can cause illness in humans, bird and pigs.
Seasonal influenza is caused by influenza viruses that are adapted to spread in humans (human influenza). Humans have some natural immunity to the strains that are in common circulation, and this immunity can be boosted by immunisation with a seasonal influenza vaccine.
Avian influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in birds. Similarly, A (H1N1) influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in pigs.
These illnesses all elicit the same respiratory symptoms in their hosts. Sometimes, humans and animals can pass strains of influenza back and forth to one another, such as when humans become ill with avian or A (H1N1) influenza, usually from direct contact with animals who are ill.
Mixing of human and animal influenza viruses can lead to the development of changed viruses with the ability to cause infection and spread in the human population. There may be little or no immunity in the human population to these new viruses.
An influenza pandemic is defined as a new or novel influenza virus that spreads easily between humans. When new influenza viruses are introduced into the environment, humans don’t have any natural immunity to protect against them. Therefore, there is a risk that that new influenza viruses could develop into a pandemic if the virus passes easily from human to human.

People will not get swine flu from eating pork or pork products

It is important to stress that A (H1N1) influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. There is no risk of catching the illness from eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.

What are the symptoms of A (H1N1) influenza?

The symptoms of A (H1N1) influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.