Q & A about Influenza A (H1N1)

Q: What is Influenza A (H1N1)?
A: Influenza A (H1N1) is transmitted disease which can only transmit from
human to human. There is not any report about transmission from pig to
human. The new virus strain which is the cause of Influenza A (H1N1) is the
subtype of influenza virus A and the most common cause of influenza (flu)
in humans (H1N1). Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans. Other
strains of H1N1 are endemic in pigs and in birds.


Q: Was any patient with influenza A (H1N1) detected in Thailand?
A: There is not any patient with influenza A (H1N1) found in Thailand. In
Thailand, there are 3,159 patients with seasonal influenza found from the
beginning of 2009. The numbers of patients are not different from last
year. No report of dead from seasonal influenza in Thailand.

Q: How do people become infected with influenza A(H1N1)?
A: 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. To prevent spread, people should cover their
mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands
regularly.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
A: 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 diarrhoea.

Q: Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?
A: No.

Q: Is there any medicine for Influenza A (H1N1)?
A: Yes, Oseltamivir and Zanamivir is the effective medicine for Influenza A
(H1N1).

Q: Is there enough Oseltamivir in Thailand?
A: Yes, there are 3,250,000 capsules of Oseltamivir (for 325,000 patients) at
present time. Public Health Ministry of Thailand has a facility for the other
more 1,000,000 capsules of Oseltamivir within 4 days.

Q: Is there any vaccination for Influenza A (H1N1)?
A: No. There is only vaccination for seasonal influenza that we should get it
done in order to prevent from occurrence of other subtype of influenza
strain.