Are there vaccines to prevent you from getting infected by Influenza A(H1N1) ?

In Malaysia, there is still no vaccine available to public to protect against Influenza A(H1N1) virus. However, Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine is currently in production overseas and may be available for the public in Malaysia in the near future.

Are there medicines to treat Influenza A(H1N1)infection?

Antiviral drugs, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir have been found effective on Influenza A(H1N1) virus and are recommends antiviral agents for the treatment and /or prevention of infection with Influenza A(H1N1)flu virus.

In Malaysia, registered brands of oseltamivir include Fluhalt™, Tamiflu™, Omniflu™, Osmivir™.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) and should be taken only when advised by the doctor. They can fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

What can you do to minimize chances of Infection:

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

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

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

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures and other social distancing measures, .avoid crowded places.

• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What you need to do if you are sick?

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, it is recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Wear a mask and keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

• Wear a mask if you have to go out to seek medical care or when in contact with others, avoid taking public transport.

 

If you have a family member at home who is sick with Influenza A(H1N1)flu, should you go to work?

If you are well but have an ill family member at home with Influenza A(H1N1)flu, you can still go to work as usual. You should monitor your health every day, and take everyday precautions including wearing a mask, washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If you become ill, you should notify your supervisor and stay home. If you have an underlying medical condition or are pregnant, you should see a health care provider for advice, because you might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.

What is the best technique for washing your hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. It is recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

 

What should you do if you get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with Influenza A(H1N1)flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care or for other necessities. It is recommends that you stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care, this means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider and seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether treatment is needed for you.

There is no absolute need to carry out confirmatory test on Influenza A(H1N1) before treatment begins.

Where can you seek Medical care or Treatment?

Treatment for Influenza A(H1N1) are available from all public hospitals and many private clinics. There are now more than 1000 private clinics/hospitals throughout Malaysia that are stocked with antiviral for treatment of Influenza A(H1N1). These clinics/hospitals (KCRh1n1) can be identified by a sticker at their door and their locations, including those nearest to you , can be searched and found in web site www.h1n1.net.my. Location maps of these KCRh1n1 are also included for your convenient.

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 trouble breathing

• Bluish or gray skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• 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

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

 

Contamination & Cleaning

How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?

Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What kills influenza virus?

Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (75-100°C). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed into hands until they are dry.

*What if soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed in my facility?

If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?

To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?

To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?

Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid "hugging" laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

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