Grippe AH1N1

H1N1 flu
what you should know to protect your health and that of others

A novel influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine, avian and human origin emerged among people in Mexico in March 2009. This highly contagious infection is caused by a virus which affects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, bronchial tubes and sometimes lungs). It is transmitted by direct or indirect contact between individuals and possible symptoms are fever, muscle ache  

Virus transmission 

The mode of transmission is identical to that of seasonal influenza: infection is transmitted by droplets expelled when coughing, sneezing or speaking. Thus, it is mainly transmitted from person to person through the air, but can also be transmitted indirectly through infected objects (door handles, taps, used tissues…).

Incubation period

The incubation period appears be approximately between two and seven days, but could extend up to ten days. People are infectious during the twenty-four hours precedeing the first symptoms and for seven days afterwards. The risk of infection is increased during the three to four days immediately after the first symptoms.

People at risk

Due to age or health, the main at-risk groups are

• People suffering from chronic diseases
• People over the age of 65
• Young children (under the age of five)
• Pregnant women

In the event of these symptoms appearing, people from these groups should quickly consult a doctor who will prescribe the appropriate early treatment (an antiviral, for example).

Preventing and protecting against the flu virus

A few precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of contracting the illness. These are simple precautions which apply at all times to avoid propagating viruses. The posters produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlight these precautions (French version – English version).

Wash your hands regularly	Hand washing protects against direct and indirect contact with any viruses and therefore also against the flu virus. Direct contact includes, for example, shaking hands with an infected person who has touched their mouth or nose, or who has covered their mouth or nose with their hands when coughing or sneezing. Indirect contact means touching an object (a door handle, tap or tissue used by an infected person). Where soap and water are not available, the use of alcohol-based hand rubs is advised, which are just as effective.
Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze	Dispose of used tissues properly. This prevents the virus being propagated by droplets that are expelled into the air when sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose.
Avoid behaviour which encourages the transmission of the virus	Hugging, drinking directly from a shared bottle or cup ... there are many types of behaviour which can encourage the propagation of viruses. If you are infected, it is important therefore, for example, to try to keep a distance of one metre between yourself and other people and to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth … Masks prevent infected people from expelling infected particles when they sneeze or cough. It is thus a good solution to avoid propagating the illness to people who are as yet not infected.
Keep your environment clean	The surfaces on which we put our hands (counters, door handles, work surfaces …) can also carry the virus, but we can easily render them “harmless” through frequent cleaning with soap and water or detergents. For information, the flu virus can survive for up to five minutes on hands, eight to twelve hours on material or paper, and twenty-four to forty-eight hours on hard surfaces (door handles, banisters, taps …)
Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle	To strengthen our natural defences it is important to stay physically active, eat a healthy, balanced diet and get enough rest.
	If you are travelling abroad Travellers who are returning from affected areas must take a few precautions when they return.

Flu symptoms

The original symptoms strongly resemble seasonal flu, namely the fairly sudden appearance of fever, aching joints and muscles, tiredness ans respiratory symptoms, which be accompanied by diarrhoea and a general feeling of beeind unwell.

Flu symptoms
Fever	Common between 38 and 40°C
Aching joints and muscles	Duration : two to five days Sometimes intense
Tiredness	Duration: a few days Sometimes intense
cough	duration : approximately one week
Vomiting and diarrhoea	common (especially in children)
Runny nose	Rare
Sore throat	Rare

 

Precautions and treatment in the event of illness 

Limit contact with others in order not to infect those around you	People who are infected are most contagious when the first symptoms appear. From that point onwards they should remain at home, limit their journeys and avoid crowds as much as possible (supermarkets, parties …)
Get intouch with a doctor	Your doctor can carry out the diagnosis and, when required, will begin the appropriate tratment. If you are not registered with a doctor: consult the list of medical practices in and around Liège
Avoid sharing personal objects (towels, glasses,...)	A valuable recommendation at any time, but particularly important if you are il.
Use medication correctly	In the absence of complications or risk factors (for example chronic illness), treatment against flu does not generally require medication. However, over-the-counter remedies are advised to relieve the symptoms. It is essential to follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist and not to self-prescribe. Finally, depending on the assessment of your condition by your doctor, treatment (antiviral medication) may be prescribed. Consult the list of pharmacies in Belgium or find an emergency pharmacy close to you.

Official web sites

Please regularly consult the website www.influenza.be which will keep you informed of any changes in the situation. For any questions, the influenza call centre is available from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can call on 0800 99 777 or send an email to info@influenza.be. If you are travelling abroad, the website www.diplomatie.be contains information about the country to which you are travelling.     

The only way to halt the pandemic is for each and every one of us
to respect basic hygiene measures.