General and home care information

What is pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus?
The A(H1N1) virus is a new virus that has never before circulated among humans and is not related to previous or current human seasonal viruses. It has also been called 'swine flu' and 'novel flu'

How is swine flu transmitted?
The virus is spread from person to person, in the same way as normal seasonal flu is transmitted. It can be passed from an infected person to other people by exposure to infected droplets, which are expelled by coughing or sneezing, and which can either be inhaled, or can contaminate hands or surfaces and so spread to other persons.

Can I get it from eating pork?
No, the A(H1N1) virus is not transmitted by food. You cannot get infected by eating properly cooked and handled pork and pork products.

Is there a vaccine against swine flu?
No, there isn’t a specific vaccine for this type of flu virus as yet.

Can the regular flu vaccine protect me from swine flu?
No, it cannot. However, those people for whom flu vaccination is usually recommended should still have it.

It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with swine flu. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against swine flu viruses, including novel A(H1N1) flu virus. These medications must be prescribed by a healthcare professional.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular seasonal flu. These include: fever and/or chills, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headache, runny nose, and fatigue. Some people have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

What can I do to protect myself from getting swine flu?
Although there is no vaccine available at present to protect you against swine flu, there are everyday actions you can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.

Take the following steps to protect your health

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the rubbish bin after you have used it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you’ve coughed or sneezed. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact (within two meters) with sick people.

What should I do if I become ill with influenza symptoms?
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, you should do the following:

• Stay home from work or school and limit your contact with other people to reduce the risk of infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to limit the spread of the virus.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of used tissues in a rubbish bin. If you do not have a tissue handy, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow to cover your cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands regularly, with soap and water, for 15 to 20 seconds. Alcohol based hand rub, available from most supermarkets and pharmacies, could also be used. Rub your hands until the liquid has dried.
• Telephone your general practitioner (GP) for advice or for a consultation.
• Tell your GP’s receptionist of your concerns. This is necessary to prevent possible exposure of other patients and staff when you visit your GP. Your GP will decide on the appropriate action that needs to be taken, based on his/her clinical assessment, and whether testing for swine flu is needed.

If I am confirmed with swine flu and sent home to recover, what should and shouldn’t I do?
In addition to the first four points covered under What should I do if I become ill with influenza symptoms, you should do the following:

• Stay in a separate room (‘quarantine’ yourself) if possible while you still have flu-like symptoms.
• Limit contact with family members, caregivers and friends as much as possible. When you do have contact with other persons, keep at least two meters away from them to prevent spreading the virus.
• All persons in your household should practice hand hygiene frequently and also after every contact they have with you.
• Take the medication prescribed or recommended to you by your GP.
• Seek medical assistance immediately if your condition worsens or if you experience any of the signs and symptoms listed under When should I seek emergency medical assistance?

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes, there are. Your GP may consider treatment with oseltamivir (TamiFlu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) if you are confirmed with swine flu and are severely ill, or have been exposed to a person with confirmed swine flu and suffer from an underlying chronic disease.

Treatment with these antivirals is not recommended by the NICD in most cases of mild disease because drug resistance has already been reported in a few cases of A(H1N1) infection. Mild swine flu is treatable with normal over the counter flu medication.

Note: Aspirin must not be given to children and young adults as this can cause severe complications.

For how long will I be infectious?
Adults with the swine influenza virus should be considered potentially infectious for as long as they have symptoms of flu and possibly for up to seven days following the onset of the illness. Children, especially younger ones, might be infectious for a longer period.

When should I seek emergency medical assistance?
If you become ill and experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical care immediately from your GP or phone your nearest hospital emergency unit.

Children:
Warning signs that your child needs urgent medical attention include the following:

• Fast breathing or troubled breathing.
• Bluish skin colour.
• Not drinking enough fluids.
• Not waking up or not interacting.
• Being so irritable that he/she does not want to be held.
• If flu-like symptoms recur with fever and worse cough, after initially improving.
• Fever accompanied by a rash.

• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
• Sudden dizziness.
• Confusion.
• Severe or persistent vomiting.

Is there a national hotline for more information?
For further information on swine flu you can contact the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)

• Mondays to Fridays, during office hours: 082 477 8026
• After hours, weekends and public holidays: 082 883 9920

[Source: National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD)]

Life Healthcare - A(H1N1) 'Swine Flu' Pamphlet