PEEL PUBLIC HEALTH H1N1 Flu Virus Human Swine Influenza

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PEEL PUBLIC HEALTH H1N1 Flu Virus (Human
Swine Influenza)

• May 2009

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Annual/Seasonal Influenza

• Annual (seasonal) influenza is a contagious
  respiratory illness in humans that occurs every
  year
• Typically occurs between October and April

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Annual/Seasonal Influenza

• Illness develops 1-3 days after exposure
  (incubation period)
• People are most contagious during the first 3
  days of illness (period of communicability)

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H1N1 Flu Virus(Human Swine Influenza)

• H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) is a strain of
  the influenza virus that usually affects pigs,
  but which may also make people sick.
• H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) is a respiratory
  illness that causes symptoms similar to those of
  the regular human seasonal flu.
• Human swine flu has now been reported in Canada,
  Mexico, the United States and several other
  countries in Europe and the South Pacific.

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H1N1 Flu Virus(Human Swine Influenza)

• The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat,
  body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some
  people with H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) have
  also reported vomiting and diarrhea.
• If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with
  other people as much as possible to keep from
  spreading your illness.

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How H1N1 Flu Virus is Spread

• H1N1 Flu Virus is contagious
• The virus is spread from person to person.
• More investigation is needed on how easily the
  virus spreads between people, but it is believed
  that it is spread the same way as regular
  seasonal influenza.

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How H1N1 Flu Virus is Spread

• H1N1 Flu Virus is contagious
• There are two main ways the H1N1 virus spreads
• Droplet
• Influenza and other respiratory infections are
  transmitted from person to person when germs
  enter the nose and/or throat. Coughs and sneezes
  release germs into the air where they can be
  breathed in by others.
• Contact
• Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like
  counters and doorknobs, where they can be picked
  up on hands and transmitted to the respiratory
  system when someone touches their mouth and/or
  nose.

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Prevention H1N1 Flu Virus

• Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of
• germs that cause respiratory illnesses like
• influenza
• Wash your hands often with soap and water,
  especially after you cough or sneeze.
  Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective
  if water is not available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you
  cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash
  after you use it and wash your hands.
• Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve if tissues
  are not available.

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Prevention H1N1 Flu Virus

• Everyday actions can help prevent the spread of
• germs that cause respiratory illnesses like
• influenza
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) is not
  transmitted through pork meat. Continue to follow
  proper food handling and cooking procedures to
  reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

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Prevention Proper Handwashing

• Washing your hands often will help protect you
  from germs
• Wash with soap and warm water for 15 to 20
  seconds.
• When soap and water are not available,
  alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel
  sanitizers may be used.
• If using gel sanitizer, rub your hands until the
  gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work
  the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

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What to do if you are sick

• If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with
  other people as much as possible to keep from
  spreading your illness.
• If you experience influenza-like symptoms,
  including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore
  throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact
  your health care provider or
• Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
• Make sure to tell your health care professional
  about your travel history if you have recently
  been to the affected areas of Mexico and/or the
  United States.

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Severity of H1N1 Flu in Canada

• Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary
  in severity from mild to severe.
• To date, the cases of H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine
  Flu) reported in Canada and in the United States
  were milder than those reported in Mexico. 
• The cases reported in Mexico have been more
  severe, involving mostly healthy young people who
  rapidly progressed from mild illness to severe
  respiratory distress, within an average of five
  days.