Swine Flu Prevention

Helping to Prevent the spread of Swine Flu in Ireland

What is influenza A(H1N1)?
Influenza A(H1N1) is a new flu virus which has been circulating worldwide since April.  The World Health Organisation has declared this to be pandemic – a flu epidemic that spreads around the world.

Does this flu spread easily?
The new flu virus appears to be highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person through tiny drops in coughs and sneezes. If you are close to a person with flu you can breathe them in and become infected.  Droplets can also be passed from surfaces like door handles and hand rails.

What are the symptoms of influenza A(H1N1)?
The symptoms are like those of normal seasonal flu and include: fever that begins very suddenly, severe fatigue, a cough, a sore throat, a runny nose, headache and muscle aches.  Some people have vomiting and diarrhoea.  While it is usually a mild disease some people may develop complications such as pneumonia.

Why have we changed our approach to managing the Influenza outbreak?

The Influenza A(H1N1) virus has spread around the world faster than any previous pandemic.  During the initial phase, we focused on slowing the spread of the virus – placing people with flu in isolation at home and asking their close contacts to self-isolate and take anti-viral medicine as a preventative measure.  Given the numbers of cases that have now been seen, and the fact that the flu is being passed from person to person within Ireland, we are moving to change how we manage cases of this flu.  From July 16th, like the USA, UK and other EU countries, we have shifted our focus to treatment rather than containment.  We are using our resources to ensure that those people who contract the flu can easily access the correct advice to take care of themselves, to stop the flu from spreading to others, and to access medicine or healthcare if they need it. We have moved to a treatment phase.

What does the treatment phase involve?

Given that this flu causes mostly mild to moderate illness, we now know that most people who get it can recover at home without needing anti-viral medicine.  Our clinical advice is that services and treatment can be concentrated mainly on those people with severe symptoms or who are considered at higher risk – like those with long term chronic illness.

What has changed from July 16^th?

Instead of lab testing all cases, GPs will diagnose people based on their symptoms.  We no longer conduct routine contact tracing and giving those contacts preventative anti-viral medicine.  We are recommending to GPs that only people with severe symptoms or in high risk groups need to be prescribed antiviral medicine.

Who will receive anti-viral treatment and where is it available?

·        Patients who appear to have severe symptoms

·        Patients who are in defined high risk groups

·        All suspected cases who have a household contact in a very high risk group

Should a GP prescribe anti-viral treatment the prescription can be filled at any pharmacy. Anti-viral medicines for this flu are free of charge to all.

Who are those considered to be in a high risk group and needing treatment?
People who have: chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, or neurological disease; people whose immune system is reduced by disease or medications; people with diabetes mellitus; people aged 65 years and older; children under 5 (children under 2 are at particular risk of influenza); people on medication for asthma, severely obese people (body mass index more than 40) and pregnant women.

Who are the contacts of cases who will require treatment even though they do not have the illness?

·        Pregnant women

·        Those on treatment for asthma

·        Those who are very obese (Body Mass Index >40)

 

 

Personal actions

What should I do if I get sick?
If you get sick with a flu-like illness phone the Flu Information Line on Freephone 1800 94 11 00, available 24 hrs a day.

Listen to the symptoms of flu and the advice on home care. Most people with flu will be able to recover at home within a few days without needing anti-viral medicine or medical care.

If you have severe symptoms, or are in a high risk group, contact your GP/family doctor by telephone. They will decide if you need testing or treatment

If you do need to be tested or treated the GP may arrange for you to be seen at their surgery or may arrange a home visit. You should stay at home for 7 days while ill unless needing further care.

How do I care for myself or someone else at home?
Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover

·        Discourage any visitors

·        Take medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms

·        Drink plenty of fluids

·        Most people with flu will recover within a few days.

Do the public need to wear masks if the flu starts to spread widely?

If a caregiver must have close contact with the sick person (for example, to hold a sick infant), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and wear a facemask when entering the sick room. Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person. When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face. All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub (minimum 60% alcohol) frequently.