New Influenza Virus 2009

Status of the New Influenza Virus 2009
There has been an outbreak of the New Influenza Virus 2009, in which cases have been found from infected patients in Mexico, United States and other countries in Europe, with clusters of cases found in Asia such as Hongkong, and South Korea. There are no cases positive for the new influenza virus in Thailand.

“What is the New Influenza Virus 2009?
Swine Influenza is an infection that spreads from human to human, and is caused by virus type A H1N1, a new species of virus found in pigs and human hosts. The virus can easily be destroyed with heat by cooking food at around 70°Celsius and above.

Signs and symptoms:
Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. If signs and symptoms are not severe, influenza will just resolve without the need for hospitalization. Severe condition includes difficulty of breathing, weakness, heavy cough, chest pain and ultimate death following severe pulmonary infection.

How is the disease transmitted?
Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed, as handling doorknobs, water glasses, telephone. The virus enters the system through the nasal passages or eyes after nose picking or rubbing eyes. Infection is not spread by eating pork meat.

Vaccines and Treatment:
There are no available vaccines preventing infection. The influenza vaccine used at present is not effective in preventing this new species of influenza. Medications to treat influenza are available on request if there is a need to use it in treating patients in Thailand.

Measures to follow to prevent infection and avoid spread:

Persons without signs and symptoms:
- Prepare the body to be strong by eating nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of liquids, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, and manage your stress.
- Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing if you do not have a tissue, then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid traveling to areas that are high risk or populated with people infected with influenza-like illness, congested places like department stores or movie theaters.
- Stock up on necessities such as drinking water, rice, dry goods, medicine, etc. enough for 1 week to prepare in case one gets sick and there is a need to rest and stay at home.
- Be informed always, following up on news and updates.
- Diabetics and hypertensive patients should reserve medications for at least two to three months to avoid going to the hospital always and being in contact with sick patients.

Patient with Flu-like signs and symptoms:
- Slight or moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body malaise, cough, sore throat, in most cases, the condition will resolve in itself. Stop working and take a rest at home. Schoolchildren should take a break from school. Call and ask information from staff with any doubts about present illness.
- Wear a mask always to avoid spreading the virus when sneezing or coughing.
- If condition has not improve after 3 days, with symptoms becoming serious, accompanied with severe coughing, weakness, difficulty of breathing, and chest pain, patients should wear a face mask and consult a physician immediately.
- It is possible to take herbal medications such as Andrographispaniculata (Burm.f.) NeesACANTHACEAE, four tablets three times a day for sore throat and fever.
- Keep on washing hands frequently.
- Do not use hands dirtied with nasal secretions, saliva in grasping objects, such as doorknobs, telephone, etc.

View updated information about Influenza A (H1N1) from www.PhuketHospital.com
eMail: info@PhuketHospital.com