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What is H1N1 Flu Virus?

H1N1 Flu Virus is a respiratory disease caused by a novel type A influenza virus.Because this is a new virus, few people have developed immunity to it, so we can expect a large number of people to become infected through the winter flu season. Most people experience mild illness and recover on their own at home without the need for doctor visits or antiviral medication. A small number of people have had more serious illness or died, but most of those had underlying medical conditions.  

Symptoms:

• The symptoms of H1N1 Flu Virus are similar to seasonal influenza infection. They are: sudden onset of respiratory illness with fever, cough, headache, general aches and fatigue. Other symptoms include: runny nose, sore throat, nausea and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. 

• Precautions: Here are six simple, good hygiene practices that can help keep you healthy and reduce the spread of infection: 1. Stay home when you are sick or have influenza symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with a healthcare provider as needed. 2. Where possible avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. 3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away immediately. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. 4. Wash and dry your hands – frequently and thoroughly to help protect you from getting sick. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers. 5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You can become ill by touching a surface contaminated with germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Keep hard surfaces clean – use regular household cleaning products. 6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contract the flu.

  Some people with underlying health conditions are more at risk of more serious illness and complications. These include: adults and children with respiratory disease, asthma, pneumonia, heart disease, liver disease or blood disorders.
• Some pregnant women have also had more serious illness when they contracted H1N1 Flu Virus.

How is H1N1 Flu Virus transmitted?

• The H1N1 Flu Virus is spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from someone who is coughing or sneezing.
• The virus can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces such as counters and doorknobs and then touching your eyes, mouth and nose. Keep these surfaces clean by using regular household cleaning products.

How is H1N1 Flu Virus diagnosed?

• Most people with mild illness do not need a test.
• Where indicated, your doctor will arrange for nasal swabs – this is most likely in people with serious illness. Specimens need to be collected within the first 2-3 days of symptoms.

What to do if you or your child gets sick:

• As for any illness, stay home and avoid contact with others to keep from spreading the virus. 
• Remain at home for 7 days after symptoms first occur or until your fever is gone, whichever is longer. 
• If symptoms worsen, contact HealthLinkBC by dialing 8-1-1 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or call your doctor. Please call your doctor before arriving at his/her office.
• Visit the hospital Emergency Department only for emergencies.
• More information if you think your child may have the H1N1 Flu Virus.   

When should I get further medical advice?

• Most people are starting to improve within 3 – 4 days of symptom onset and have recovered within a week. Coughing can continue for longer. Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, if your symptoms worsen.
• Symptoms which may require further medical advice include: difficulty breathing, chest pain, a high temperature, drowsiness, severe vomiting, or a cough with blood or green phlegm.

Other signs to look for and get further medical advice on are:

• start to feel better, then get worse 
• high temperature (greater than 38°C) that doesn’t respond to medication
• chills or severe shaking 
• difficulty breathing or chest pain 
• purple or blue discoloration of the lips 
• less responsive than normal, unusually quiet, or confusion
• vomiting and unable to keep liquids down 
• signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, not urinating, and in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
• seizures or convulsions

For more information, download a printable version of our H1N1 Fact Sheet. 

 For more information, call 8-1-1 or visit HealthLink BC 

 Do you think you have H1N1? Click here to check your
 symptoms.