Protecting yourself from
HIN1 Influenza
Transmission: Seasonal human influenza viruses spread from person to person primarily through large-particle respiratory droplet transmission (e.g., when an infected person coughs or sneezes near a susceptible person). Transmission via large-particle droplets requires close contact between source and recipient persons as droplets don’t remain suspended in the air and travel only a short distance (less than six feet). Contact with contaminated surfaces is another source of transmission, as is droplet nuclei transmission (also called "airborne" transmission). As the data on transmission of novel H1N1 viruses are limited, the potential for ocular, conjunctival, or gastrointestinal infection is unknown. As this is a novel influenza A virus in humans, transmission from infected persons to close contacts is possible. All respiratory secretions and bodily fluids (diarrheal stool) of novel influenza A (H1N1) cases should be considered potentially infectious.
Signs and Symptoms: All patients with febrile respiratory illness (a fever greater than 37.8 C) plus 1 or more of the following: nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, should be considered possibly infected with H1N1 and should be isolated.
Incubation period: The estimated incubation period could range from 1 to 7 days, but more likely is 1 to 4 days.
Infectious Period: Persons with H1N1 virus infection should be considered potentially contagious from 1 day before to 7 days following illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.
Healthcare personnel have not been immunized against this novel strain of influenza. Therefore, they should not report to work if they have a febrile respiratory illness. They should be excluded from work for seven days or until symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
Isolation: Droplet and contact precautions plus eye protection (standard precautions) should be used for all patient care activities for patients being evaluated for, or in isolation for H1N1. Maintain adherence to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after removing gloves and other equipment and after any contact with respiratory secretions. Non-sterile gloves and gowns along with eye protection should be donned when entering a patient’s room.