What's H1N1?

H1N1 (a.k.a. Swine Flu) is an influenza virus having similar genes with the virus usually occurring in pigs in North America. This virus spreads person-to-person, in much the same way as how the seasonal influenza viruses spread. Currently, 70 countries have collectively reported 209,438 cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection, with countries including Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica, and others in Europe and Asia.

How do people get infected with influenza A/ H1N1?

The infection of influenza A/H1N1 occurs through human-to-human transmission. People can be infected by coming in contact with droplets given off when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and/or breathing in air populated with influenza A/H1N1 viruses.

The symptoms of infection.

The symptoms of influenza A/H1N1 infection is similar to those of seasonal influenza viruses, which includes fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.

How to prevent yourself from getting inflected?

CDC suggested several steps below to protect your health:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

3. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

5. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

6. Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours,  whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

7. Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.  If you get sick, the Center for Disease Control recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Need more information about H1N1 (Swine Flu)?

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/

http://www.fda.gov/h1n1flu/default.htm