Influenza A(H1N1) Fever

1. What is Influenza A(H1N1) fever?

Fever caused by a type of Influenza A(H1N1) virus is called

Swine flu.

3. How Influenza AH1N1 virus infects the people?

The infection spreads in air through the droplets,

when the affected people cough or sneeze. When

the people happened to touch these droplets settled

down on various surfaces, the virus sticks with their

hands. Subsequently, it infects them when they

touch their eyes, nose or mouth. 20% spread is

airborne and 80% spread is through hands.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1) fever?

Fever, cough, cold, sneeze, headache and throat pain are the

signs and symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1) fever. In addition,

some people may suffer from diarrhoea or vomiting.

Cold Fever Cough Headache Throat PainSneeze

10. How to wash hands?

For more information 104

Wash hands for atleast 30 seconds.

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Health & Family Welfare Department

(Swine Flu)Wet hands with water Apply enough soap to

cover all hand surfaces.Rub hands palm to palm

Right palm over Left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa.

Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.

Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked.

Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa.

Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa.

Rinse hands with water and dry thoroughly with a single use towel

Telephone : 044-24350496 / 044-24334811Cellphone : 9444340496 / 9361482899

If Fever or Diarrhoea or Jaundice Cases occur in your area, please SMS or Call 24 x 7

Public Health Control Room, Chennai - 6.

Published by :

Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine,Chennai - 6.

4. Does Swine flu spread from pigs to humans?

No. The Influenza A(H1N1) fever does

not spread from pigs to humans. During

1920-30s, influenza was seen among

pigs and hence it was called as swine flu. At

present, the Influenza A(H1N1) fever spreads only

from the infected humans to humans.

5. How long can Influenza A(H1N1) viruses live in the environment?

Influenza A(H1N1) viruses can live on floor surfaces, doors, and

table surfaces for few hours. Also, these viruses can live upto 2

days in wet places. To prevent the spread of infection,

doorknobs, table surface, arm rests of chairs, electrical

switches, telephone etc., should be cleaned using disinfectants

on daily basis.

7. Is there any medicine available for Influenza A(H1N1) Disease?

To treat Influenza A(H1N1) fever, an effective medicine called

Oseltamivir is available.

Also, the contacts who are looking after the patients of

influenza A(H1N1) fever are also given this medicine as

contact treatment.

Close your mouth and nose by a clean hand kerchief / clothes

while cough or sneeze.

The handkerchief and other clothes used during cough and sneeze

should be washed and dried in direct sunlight well before use.

School Office Market

6. What can I do to protect from getting infected from A(H1N1)?

You should wash your hands frequently using soap. Also,

you should wash your hands immediately after reaching

school, Office / work place etc., and immediately on return to

home.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth without washing

your hands.

Stay at least one meter away from the infected person.

9. How can the public places be maintained cleanly without contamination?

8. What are the guidelines to be followed by the patient for influenza A(H1N1) fever?

Doctor should be consulted and proper treatment to be received

immediately after the signs and symptoms of influenza A(H1N1)

fever.

Self-medication without medical prescription should be avoided.

If anyone has symptoms of influenza A(H1N1) fever, he/she

should take rest at home.

Public utilities like buses, trains, etc.,should be cleaned with

disinfectants everyday

Staircase/escalator, doorknobs, ticket counters, electrical

switches in lifts / other places, chairs in cinema theatre / public

places, where there is a possibility for touch of the hands of

infected persons, should be cleanly with disinfectants.