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Frequently Asked Questions – influenza a (H1N1)
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| Influenza – A (H1N1) (earlier know as swine flu) is a new influenza
virus causing illness in people. First detected in Mexico in April,
2009, it has spread to many countries in the World. Swine flu is
basically a misnomer. This was originally referred to as “swine flu”
because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new
virus were very similar to those found in pigs in North America.
Further on, it has been found that this new virus has gene segments
from the swine, avian and human flu virus genes. The scientists calls
this a ‘quadruple reassortant” virus and hence this new (novel) virus
is christened “influenza-A (H1N1) virus.” |
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| It is causing an epidemic among humans in Mexico and has spread to
Austria, Canada, China (Hong Kong), Costa Rica, Denmark, France,
Germany,India,Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA. |
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| Pigs have nothing to do with this disease. Pork products are
absolutely safe if properly cooked. There is no need to cull pigs. Do
not panic if some pigs die in the community due to natural
disease. |
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| Influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and spreading from human to
human. |
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| The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of
regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and
vomiting associated with influenza-A (H1N1) |
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| Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through
droplets created while coughing or sneezing by a person infected with
the influenza-A (H1N1). |
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| Infected person may be able to infect others beginning one day
before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming
sick. |
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| First and most important: Follow simple steps as cough etiquettes
(covering mouth & nose with handkerchief or tissue paper while
coughing), stay at least an arm’s length from persons coughing or
sneezing, avoid gathering and wash your hands frequently. 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. |
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| Yes. Necessary medicines in sufficient quantity are available. The
Government has in the designated hospitals stored medicines if
required. It is strongly advisable not to take medicines of your own,
as it will lower your immunity. |
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(a) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the
trash after you use it.
(b) Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-
based hand cleaners are also effective.
(c) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this
way.
(d) Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory
illness.
(e) If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away
from work or school and limit
contact with others to keep from infecting
them.
However, if one is having any respiratory
distress, one should report to a nearby hospital.
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(1) The strategy is basically to detect early cases among the
passengers coming from the
affected countries either by air, road or
ship.
(2) The Government has launched a massive mass media campaign to
inform and educate
people on dos and do nots.
(3) Sharing information with public through media.
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| People who have traveled from the affected countries in these days
and show symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) like fever, cough, sore throat
and difficulty in breathing should immediately contact the telephone
number given below or the nearby Government Hospital. |
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| Outbreak Monitoring Cell (Control Room, NICD): 011-23921401 |
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