Hot Topic: H1N1 Basics

H1n1 Basics: Recognition

The following symptoms have been found in patients testing positive:

• 92% had fever
• 92% had a cough, mild to heavy
• 66% had a sore throat
• Only 25% had diarhoeae or vomiting/nausea.

(Note that in elderly patients, the fever can be absent, substiting instead with delirium or decreased level of consciousness.)

H1N1 has not been a nosocomial infection, but instead has been transmitted via the community(on your commute, in the workplace, in the schools, etc). You do not need to be around one of these hospitalized sick people, or someone who has been to Mexico, to contact the flu anymore.

H1n1: So I have the above symptoms.... What next?

DO NOT run to the emergency room for mild flu symptoms. This clogs up the system!

DO take a self inventory. Are your symptoms mild? moderate? debilitating?

If your symptoms are mild and you don't have underlying issues, the BCCDC is not even recommending you go and get tested at the moment. If your symptoms are moderate or if you are pregnant, have concerns about a newborn, or immunocompromised, testing and follow up are still recommended.

The BC Centre for Disease control is currently recommending people who have a fever and respiratory symptoms do the following:

1. Self Isolate for seven days after your symptoms first start. This will prevent spreading.
2. Practise Hand Hygiene (Wash your hands with a non antibacterial soap often)
3. Practise Cough Etiquette (Cough into your elbow, or into a handerchief).
4. If your newborn has H1n1, encourage breastfeeding; this will help.
5. If you DO go out in public, use a surgical mask to prevent spread to other people.
6. Do NOT go to work.

If your symptoms worsen, there are several medications that are effective, as well as the vaccine coming out later this year.