H1N1 Swine Flu Virus
Expatriates are encouraged to monitor the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website by searching for the keyword "China" on this site and the China page of the World Health Organization (WHO) website regarding communicable diseases in the region.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
This virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What is an influenza pandemic?
An influenza pandemic means the virus is spread easily between humans, and affects a wide geographic area. The virus may cause mild, moderate or sever disease.
Are all pandemics severe?
A pandemic influenza does not necessarily cause more severe illness. An influenza pandemic may be mild or severe.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
This virus appears to be sensitive to oseltamivir (TamiFlu®) and Zanamivir (Relenza®). Treatment with these antiviral medications may be considered in more severe cases confirmed by viral testing to be due to Influenza A.
What is the difference between an antiviral and a vaccine?
Antivirals are drugs used for the prevention and early treatment of influenza. If taken shortly after getting sick (within 48 hours), they can reduce influenza symptoms, shorten the length of illness and may reduce the serious complications of influenza.
Antivirals work by reducing the ability of the virus to reproduce but do not provide immunity against the virus. The human swine influenza H1N1 can be treated with two different antivirals, osletamavir (Tamiflu®) and Zanamivir (Relenza®).
A vaccine is any preparation intended to produce immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of the bodies own natural antibodies. Vaccines are the primary means to prevent illness and death from influenza. They stimulate the production of antibodies against the flu virus components included in the vaccine, providing immunity against the virus.
In order to provide the best protection, a vaccine must be tailored to fight off specific strains of influenza.
Can I take an antiviral to prevent swine flu?
All antivirals have side effects. You only need to have antivirals if you have been exposed or if there is a high risk of exposure to swine flu and only when recommended by your doctor. For example if you have had close contact with a confirmed case (within a distance of one metre). You should only take antivirals when recommended by your doctor.
Does the regular flu shot protect you from swine flu?
No, but all those who are normally recommended for a flu shot should still receive it.
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
What should I do if I get sick?
If you have travelled to Mexico , USA or Canada , within the past 7 days or believe you have been in close contact with an infected person, and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhoea, you should:
Your physician will decide the appropriate action, based on your likely exposure. The Dr can then confirm whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
How serious is swine flu?
Swine flu is caused by a virus, in reality many 1000's of people die each year from seasonal influenza virus that most people would be familiar with. To date the swine flu (H1N1) virus has killed less than a 100 people globally. The reality is we have more to fear from the influenza virus. Remember to practice good personal hygiene in all circumstances to minimise the risk of infection, refer to "What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?" above.
Clinic telephone +86 (0574) 86000000 (Mon-Fri closed)
Website designed and maintained by Foreigners Medical Clinic, Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital
All content on this website in its entirety is subject to copyright. No part is to be copied without express written permission of Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital 宁波开发区中心医院
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
This virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What is an influenza pandemic?
An influenza pandemic means the virus is spread easily between humans, and affects a wide geographic area. The virus may cause mild, moderate or sever disease.
Are all pandemics severe?
A pandemic influenza does not necessarily cause more severe illness. An influenza pandemic may be mild or severe.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
This virus appears to be sensitive to oseltamivir (TamiFlu®) and Zanamivir (Relenza®). Treatment with these antiviral medications may be considered in more severe cases confirmed by viral testing to be due to Influenza A.
What is the difference between an antiviral and a vaccine?
Antivirals are drugs used for the prevention and early treatment of influenza. If taken shortly after getting sick (within 48 hours), they can reduce influenza symptoms, shorten the length of illness and may reduce the serious complications of influenza.
Antivirals work by reducing the ability of the virus to reproduce but do not provide immunity against the virus. The human swine influenza H1N1 can be treated with two different antivirals, osletamavir (Tamiflu®) and Zanamivir (Relenza®).
A vaccine is any preparation intended to produce immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of the bodies own natural antibodies. Vaccines are the primary means to prevent illness and death from influenza. They stimulate the production of antibodies against the flu virus components included in the vaccine, providing immunity against the virus.
In order to provide the best protection, a vaccine must be tailored to fight off specific strains of influenza.
Can I take an antiviral to prevent swine flu?
All antivirals have side effects. You only need to have antivirals if you have been exposed or if there is a high risk of exposure to swine flu and only when recommended by your doctor. For example if you have had close contact with a confirmed case (within a distance of one metre). You should only take antivirals when recommended by your doctor.
Does the regular flu shot protect you from swine flu?
No, but all those who are normally recommended for a flu shot should still receive it.
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the rubbish after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you have travelled to Mexico , USA or Canada , within the past 7 days or believe you have been in close contact with an infected person, and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhoea, you should:
- ring your general (usual) physician for advice BEFORE attending the clinic
- let the receptionist know your concerns. This is necessary to prevent possible exposure of other patients and staff when you attend the practice.
Your physician will decide the appropriate action, based on your likely exposure. The Dr can then confirm whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or troubled breathing
- Bluish skin colour
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
How serious is swine flu?
Swine flu is caused by a virus, in reality many 1000's of people die each year from seasonal influenza virus that most people would be familiar with. To date the swine flu (H1N1) virus has killed less than a 100 people globally. The reality is we have more to fear from the influenza virus. Remember to practice good personal hygiene in all circumstances to minimise the risk of infection, refer to "What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?" above.
Clinic telephone +86 (0574) 86000000 (Mon-Fri closed)
Website designed and maintained by Foreigners Medical Clinic, Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital
All content on this website in its entirety is subject to copyright. No part is to be copied without express written permission of Ningbo Development Zone Central Hospital 宁波开发区中心医院