Health and Social Services
H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) - Questions and Answers
]- What is H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)?
- What are the symptoms of H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)?
- How is the H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) virus spread?
- What is the treatment?
- What should I do if I have symptoms of Influenza?
- What does isolation mean?
- Should I see my health care provider if I have symptoms of influenza?
- Will the Health Centre be closed if the nurse gets sick with the flu?
- How can I prevent spreading or catching Influenza?
- Is there a vaccine for H1N1 influenza virus?
- Should I wear a mask?
- How is H1N1 influenza virus diagnosed?
- Can I get antivirals if I have symptoms of influenza?
- How is Yukon monitoring for H1N1 influenza virus?
- Can you get H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) from eating pork?
- What does it mean that the World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert to level 6?
For Questions and Answers on the H1N1 Influenza virus vaccine, visit Health and Social Services H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza vaccine clinic page.
For a comprehensive listing of H1N1 Influenza Questions and Answers, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
1. What is H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)?
H1N1 is a new influenza virus made up of a mixture of genes derieved from human, pig and avian strains. It it a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal influenza.
2. What are the symptoms of H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)?
The symptoms of H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) include:
Almost always:
- Cough and fever
Common:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Runny nose
Sometimes:
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Diarrhea
Try HealthLinkBC's new H1N1 Symptom Checker
3. How is the H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) virus spread?
Coughs and sneezes release the germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where they can be picked up on hands and transferred to the lungs when someone touches their mouth and/or nose.
Home treatment with rest, fluids (like soup, juice, and water), fever reducing medication and washing your hands frequently with soap and water after coughing or sneezing are the steps to feeling better. Because H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not effective.
Visit our section on Caring for somone who is ill with the H1N1 virus.
5. What should I do if I have symptoms of Influenza?
If you develop flu-like symptoms, drink plenty of fluids and stay home from work, school public places and other social settings. It is recommended that non-health care workers return to work when they are symptom free and able to participate in usual daily activities. Health care workers are advised to stay home 7 days or 24 hours after last symptom (whichever is the longer time).
If a family member is ill, keep them at home and in an area of the home that separates them by at least 2 metres (6 feet) from other family members. This is called isolation.
Visit our section on Caring for somone who is ill with the H1N1 virus.
Isolation means keeping sick people away from healthy people and limiting their interaction with others to stop the spread of an illness. When isolated, you should stay away from others in your home; (ie. in a separate room in your house).
7. Should I see my health care provider if I have symptoms of influenza?
Most people can care for themselves or their family when they have influenza. However, if you have flu-like symptoms and belong to a group at risk of developing complications, such as:
- pregnant women, children under two, adults over 65 years, and those wilth a weakened immumne system, chronic illness or obesity issues;
- you have fever lasting more than 3 days;
- you have increased trouble breathing;
then call Yukon HealthLine at 811, or your health provider right away.
Calling ahead to your health care provider will alert them to make sure that others in the clinic are not being exposed to illness. Physician clinics and commuity health centres may also be looking after patients who may be at a higher risk of illness if they became infected with influenza.
You should go immediately to the hospital emergency or your community health centre (if possible, call ahead first) if you have the flu and one or more of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath (wheezing, difficulty breathing)
- chest pain
- drowsiness, confusion, disorientation or difficulty being roused
- dehydration/no urination for 12 hours
- fever in an infant less than 3 months old
If necessary, call 911 or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the communities.
8. Will the Health Centre be closed if the nurse gets sick with the flu?
Each health centre has a contingency plan in place should a nurse be unavailable. A nurse sick with N1H1 influenza would be an example of when the contigency plan could be implemented. Every effort will be made to maintain health services in the community.
9. How can I prevent spreading or catching Influenza?
- Get your annual influenza vaccine.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
- Cough and sneeze into your arm or sleeve.
- Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils.
10. Is there a vaccine for H1N1 influenza virus?
Yes there is an H1N1 vaccine available free of charge to all Canadians. The vaccine is available to all Yukon residents who need and want to receive it.
You can also read the Frequently Asked Questions on the H1N1 vaccine and Seasonal Flu vaccine.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) does not recommend the wearing of masks by the general public as there is no evidence to show that wearing a mask will protect you from catching the illness. People often wear masks incorrectly, or contaminate them when putting them on and taking them off, which could increase the risk of illness.
If an ill person has to leave home then wearing a mask can help reduce transmission of the virus to others. Mask use and eye protection may also be helpful for care-givers attending to someone sick at home with the flu.
12. How is H1N1 influenza virus diagnosed?
People with mild symptoms generally do not require testing. If your health care provider feels your symptoms require further investigation, a nose or throat swab may be done and sent to the lab for confirmation. Other tests, such as bloodwork, may also be ordered.
13. Can I get antivirals if I have symptoms of influenza?
Recommendations from PHAC are approved for Yukon application by the Medical Officer of Health.
- Treatment with antivirals is not recommended for those persons with mild disease.
- Antivirals are recommended for treatment of those persons with mild or moderate illness AND risk factors
- Antivirals are recommended for treatment of those persons with severe illness
Antivirals from the National Antiviral Stockpile are to be used only for the early treatment of persons with influenza like illness (ILI) who are assessed by a physician or Primary Health Care Nurse within 24 – 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Antivirals require a prescription from a physician.
- In Whitehorse the individual will be able to have their prescription filled at the pharmacy of their choice.
- In the rural communities, antivirals will be dispensed from the Community Nursing Health Facilities.
Appropriate use of antivirals helps to reduce the risk of developing drug resistance.
There is a limited supply of antivirals which need to be used strategically to reduce the impact of severe illness.
Presently, most Canadians who become ill with the H1N1 influenza are experiencing mild disease and recover well at home on their own.
14. How is Yukon monitoring for H1N1 influenza virus?
Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s Medical Officer of Health, has asked all health care providers to increase their monitoring for influenza-like illness. Surveillance has been increased and frontline health care workers are actively looking for and reporting possible cases particularly when there is a history of travel to places experiencing outbreaks of H1N1 influenza virus or contact with a person who is sick with H1N1 influenza virus. Health care workers have been provided with detailed advice on how to manage possible and/or confirmed cases.
15. Can you get H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) from eating pork?
No. Influenza is not transmitted in this way, and proper cooking of pork products would kill influenza viruses anyway. For general safety, make sure pork is cooked through, not pink in the middle. Use a food thermometer to confirm pork has been heated through to 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit).
16. What does it mean that the World Health Organization has raised the pandemic alert to level 6?
Pandemic influenza is defined as a new influenza virus that spreads easily between humans. The H1N1 human swine influenza that has been identified is a new virus, with evidence of human-tohuman transmission.
Investigation about this evolving disease is in place and is being examined to monitor the severity of the disease and respond to any changes.
It is important to understand that the Canadian government has been implementing an aggressive approach to this particular virus for the past several months based on information sharing and technical assistance between Canada, US, Mexico and the WHO.
Canada is a global leader in pandemic planning and continues to implement the overall pandemic plan for the health sector (Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan).
The country’s advanced level of readiness is also due to close cooperation with provinces and territories and health professionals across the country.
With the escalation to Pandemic Phase 6, federal actions will be actively continued under the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector.
