Lyceum Alabang Health Advisory

LYCEUM ALABANG Health Advisory FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

PANDEMIC ALERT LEVEL 6: INFLUENZA A (H1N1) VIRUS

What is the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus that has been causing recent outbreaks globally? The specific type of the H1N1 virus causing illness now is new or “novel” and in the current outbreak it is clear that this virus is able to infect humans and be passed from person to person.

How does the Influenza A (H1N1) virus spread? Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What should I do to keep from getting infected by the Influenza A (H1N1) virus? First and most important, wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

What is a ‘pandemic’? Influenza pandemics happen when a new human flu virus emerges and spreads rapidly across the globe because humans have no previous immunity against this virus.

What is ‘social distancing’? Physical distancing is a term that refers to the practice of keeping a distance of one meter (three feet) between people. Social distancing refers to measures taken by health authorities to reduce transmission of a virus in a community.

What should I know about human influenza viruses?

1. They spread through infected droplets from breathing passages.
2.  Droplets are expelled by talking, spitting, coughing or sneezing.
3. The droplets spread about 1 meter (3 feet) from the infected person, either directly to other people or indirectly through hands and other surfaces.
4. The viruses can live for several hours on hard surfaces, or on cloth and paper.
5. If healthy people touch infected hands, doorknobs, keyboards, telephones, etc., they can infect them­selves by touching mouths, noses or eyes.
6. Sometimes the viruses can spread through the air.
7. An infected person is most likely to spread the virus when he or she has fever, cough and/or sore throat.
8. It is possible that an infected person will spread the virus a day before showing signs of illness.
   
   

How do you know you have influenza?
The first symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1)might be similar to seasonal flu symptoms as follows:

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Aching muscles
4. Exhaustion and feeling weak
5. Loss of appetite
6. Sore throat
7. Runny or stuffy nose
8. Dry cough
   
   

The Department of Health (DOH) defines influenza-like illness (ILI) as fever, cough and/or sore throat. It is likely that you will recover without needing medical attention, but the following symptoms may develop requiring immediate medical help/hospitalization.

1. Shortness of breath while resting or doing very little work
2. Persistent fever for 4 or 5 days
3. Painful or difficult breathing
4. Coughing up a lot of phlegm or bloody sputum
5. Wheezing
6. You are feeling better and then you develop a new fever or worsening cough with sputum.
7. You feel very drowsy and others have difficulty waking you up or note you seem confused or disorientated.
   
   

How do you reduce your risk of contracting influenza?
The practice of good personal hygiene is one of the most effective strategies any individual can implement to reduce the risk of being infected by the influenza virus.

1. Cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing (not with the hand, as that contaminates the hand for touching and spreading organisms further).
2. Use a tissue for cleaning/blowing the nose, and dispose of it after use.
3. Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, using a tissue, or touching any surface that may have become contaminated by a prior user. If using a face mask, dispose of it carefully after use and wash hands.
   • Wash hands with soap and water (preferable) or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
   • When you wash your hands, wash for at least 20 seconds, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are cleaned.
4. Become “touch aware,” and avoid touching surfaces that are likely to have been touched by others (door handles, stair railings, etc.).
5. Avoid handshaking, social kissing and other social rituals that involve touching others.
6. Be careful with respiratory secretions when around other people (e.g. coughing and/or   sneezing). If possible, avoid contact with individuals at risk (small children or those with underlying or chronic illnesses) until respiratory symptoms have resolved.
7. Keep mouthwash, hand sanitizer and face mask handy.
   
   

How do you reduce the chances of spreading influenza?

1. Practice good personal hygiene as listed above.
2. Do not share eating utensils and drinking glasses.
3. Clean utensils used by sick people or surfaces they touch with warm, soapy water or disinfectant.
4. Avoid crowded situations that place you in close contact with others.
5. Do not smoke. Smoking makes it easier to catch influenza and increases the likelihood of serious complications.
6. Report first to UHS for medical evaluation if you are a returning international student.
7. If you traveled abroad, observe 10 days self-quarantine upon arrival.
8. Stay home if sick with influenza-like illness, and wear a face mask
   
   

How do you care for yourself?
The following are a few of the things you or those you are caring for can do to help reduce influenza symptoms. If the influenza appears to be more severe, you should consult with a medical professional immediately.

1. Measure your temperature. If it is 37.8°C and above, you probably have influenza.
2. Rest and completely avoid rigorous exercise.
3. Avoid contact with others.
4. Stay at home.
5. Drink plenty of fluids (a glass of water or juice every hour).
6. Take paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) to reduce fever and relieve pain. (It does not kill the virus, but it makes you feel better.)
7. Take multivitamins.
8. Gargle with warm water to ease a sore throat.
9. Use saline (salt) solution nose drops to help relieve a stuffed nose.
10. Keep your nose clean with disposable tissues and throw the used tissues in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
11. Do not smoke.
    
    

How do you care for others?
Most patients with Influenza A (H1N1)will be able to remain at home during the course of their illness and can be cared for by other family members or others who live in the household. Anyone residing in a household with an influenza patient during the incubation period and illness is at risk for developing influenza. A key objective in this setting is to limit transmission of Influenza A (H1N1)within and outside the home.

Management of Influenza Patients: Physically separate the patient with influenza from non-ill persons living in the home as much as possible. A separate and well ventilated room should be set up so that the sick person can be isolated.

1. To minimize the risk of spread, only the caregivers who are absolutely necessary should visit the sick person’s room, and they should always wash their hands thor­oughly upon leaving. Wearing of masks can be helpful as long as you realize that it is not a panacea.
2. Patients should not leave the home during the period when they are most likely to be infectious to others (i.e., 7 days from the onset of symptoms for adults or until 24-48 hours after resolution of symp­toms, whichever is longer). When movement outside the home is necessary (e.g., for medical care), the patient should follow cough etiquette (i.e., cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing) and wear a face mask.
3. If you choose to wear a face mask, place it over your nose, mouth and chin and secure in place with either the strings or elastic bands provided. Adjust the metallic strip over the bridge of your nose to ensure a secure fit so that leaks are prevented. When removing the face mask, do so by touching the straps only. Carefully place the face mask into a plastic bag and tie the bag closed before putting it into a rubbish bin, preferably one with a lid. Remember that face masks cannot eliminate the possibility of infection.
   
   

Management of Other Persons in the Home:

1. Persons/visitors who have not been exposed to Influenza A (H1N1) and who are not essential for patient care or support should not enter the home while persons are actively ill with Influenza A (H1N1).
2. If unexposed persons must enter the home, they should avoid close contact with the patient.
3. Persons living in the home with the Influenza A (H1N1) patient should limit contact with the patient to the extent possible; consider designating one person as the primary care provider.
4. Household members should be vigilant for the development of influenza symptoms.
   
   

Infection Control Measures in the Home:

1. All persons in the household should carefully follow recommendations for hand hygiene (i.e., hand washing with soap and water or use of an alcohol-based hand rub) after contact with an influenza patient or the environment in which care is provided.
2. Although no studies have assessed the use of face masks at home to decrease the spread of infection, use of face masks by the patient and/or caregiver during interactions may be of benefit. The wearing of gloves and gowns is not recommended for house­hold members providing care in the home.
3. Soiled dishes and eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap. Separation of eating utensils for use by a patient with influenza is not necessary.
4. Laundry can be washed in a standard washing machine with warm or cold water and detergent. It is not necessary to separate soiled linen and laundry used by a patient with influenza from other household laundry. Care should be used when handling soiled laundry (e.g., avoid “hugging” the laundry) to avoid contami­nation. Hand hygiene should be performed after handling soiled laundry.
5. Tissues used by the ill patient should be placed in a bag and disposed with other household waste. Consider placing a bag for this purpose at the bedside for easy disposal.
6. Normal cleaning of environmental surfaces in the home should be followed.
   
   

When should you stay home?
You must stay home under any of the following circumstances and inform UHS for proper advice:

1. You have symptoms of an influenza-like illness (fever, cough and/or sore throat). Check your body temperature each morning and evening.
2. One of your family members has or is suspected to have Influenza A (H1N1);
3. You have had recent contact (<48 hours) with someone who is now known to have contracted Influenza A (H1N1).
   
   

When should you go back to school/work?
According to DOH, a patient would become non-infectious only after seven (7) days. You must therefore stay home for seven (7) days from the onset of symptoms or until 24-48 hours after resolution of symp­toms, whichever is longer. You are also expected to secure clearance from the UHS if fit to attend classes or report back to work.

If you have a relative or someone else at home suspected of being affected by Influenza A (H1N1), you should be monitored at least daily for fever and respiratory symptoms and not come to work for seven (7) days after the resolution of fever of the infected household member.

If you have been exposed to a known case of Influenza A (H1N1), you should also stay home for the period of seven (7) days, from the first known exposure to the virus, to cover the maximum incubation period.