Influenza A H1N1

1. What is Influenza A (H1N1)?

Influenza A (H1N1) is highly contagious acute respiratory disease infecting humans caused by a new virus, the result of a mutation created by the mixing of the pig, bird and human influenza virus genes.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1)?

Early signs of Influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and running nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.

3. How do people become infected with Influenza A (H1N1)?

The spread begins when infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. An uninfected person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and thus be exposed. This is known as the human to human transmission of Influenza A (H1N1).

4. What is the advice to infected persons?

· Seek medical attention and treatment from the nearest doctor.
· To prevent spread, infected persons should cover their mouth and nose appropriately when coughing and sneezing, and wash their hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
· If you get sick with influenza, stay at home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since secretions from them contain the virus and can infect others.
· Avoid going to crowded/public places and/or using public transport especially when you are sick or have the influenza signs and symptoms.

5. How can you protect yourself from getting infected with the disease?

There is no vaccine currently available to protect against Influenza A (H1N1). However, there are certain actions that can help to reduce the spread of the virus:-
· Avoid close contact with persons who appear unwell and have fever and cough.
· Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.
· Avoid touching your face, especially your nose and mouth, with your hands to minimize infection.
· In the event of being in an affected area, avoid crowded places and stay indoors.
· Stay informed of the situation of the disease and of the appropriate measures taken to avoid being infected.
· Practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food and keeping physically active.

6. What drugs are available for treatment?

Currently the Ministry of Health Malaysia has antivirals for treatment of Influenza A (H1N1). The antivirals are used for treatment of a person infected with the virus. It is not a vaccine that creates immunity against the infection.

7. Is it safe to travel?

People should be aware that due to the highly contagious nature of the disease and its rapid spread across the world, non-essential travel by air or other means, especially to affected areas, should be postponed. If travel is essential or unavoidable, travellers and their dependents need to protect themselves appropriately. Persons who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate care immediately. However, World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended travel restrictions related to the outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

8. What does the current WHO pandemic alert phase 5 mean?

According to WHO phase 5 means that the virus has caused sustained community level outbreaks in at least two countries in one WHO region. At phase 5 a pandemic is considered imminent.

* Influenza A (H1N1) - Influenza A (Hemagglutinin 1 Neuraminidase 1)
- Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase are antigens; number '1' refers to the specific sub-type of those antigens.



(Source: Ministry of Health, Malaysia)