H1N1

This particular outbreak began in Mexico several days ago and has come to be known  as the “swine flu”.
The illness is indeed a flu, similar in some ways to  the seasonal flu we have annually in varying degrees of severity.  It is different in that the specific strain is different (H1N1) and is a sub-type of the common type A flu.

Front line care providers should be actively looking for cases of Severe Respiratory Illness particularly in people who have recently returned from Mexico (the last 2 weeks) and this information should be reported to Infection Control and the Local Medical Officer of Health (the Northwestern Health Unit).

Common symptoms  include:
High fever
Headache
Ocular pain
Shortness of breath
Extreme fatique
Other symptoms may include: sore throat, arthralgia, myalgia and in children under 5 gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present.

Please read the folowing, to identify and care for the infected.
H1N1 flu virus: What to do if you have symptoms
Caring for someone who is sick with H1N1

We will continue to screen patients for febrile respiratory illness and influenza like illness in our usual manner with the addition of asking specifically if there has been any travel to Mexico recently (within the last 1-2 weeks).
 Treatment of Influenza like illness at this time should be no different than usual practice which includes:
* Hand hygiene (alcohol-based hand rub or soap and running water)
* Surgical mask (staff and patient- patient should keep their mask on)
* Eye protection
* Gloves and gowns if risk of contamination with respiratory secretions
* All surfaces that may be contaminated with droplets are  to be cleansed after patient leaves the room with a hospital grade disinfection

Recommendations about reducing the risk of catching swine flu
* Washing your hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand gel if soap is not available.
* Avoiding close contact with sick people.
* Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
* Staying home if you are ill.
* Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash afterward, then washing your hands. 

If you have flu-like symptoms then social distancing (i.e. minimizing contact with family members and not going out in public) and not going to work ill is important and if you are not improving then call your doctor or health care provider and ask if you should come in. But if you have severe symptoms, you should seek medical attention, especially if you have recently been to an area with confirmed cases of swine flu.

Further updates will occur as more is known about the virus characteristics and the level of activity in Canada and specifically in Ontario.

For further information see:
www.nwhu.on.ca
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2009/2009_0426_swine-eng.php

Lynn Ronnebeck RN
Infection Prevention and Control