H1N1 Pandemic Flu
Health Questions
- What is H1N1 (Swine) flu?
- Should I be concerned about the H1N1 flu?
- What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
- How do you catch H1N1 flu? *Updated on 11/06/2009
- What’s the incubation period for H1N1 flu? *Updated on 09/17/2009
- How can I protect myself and minimize exposure to H1N1?
- What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to H1N1 flu? *Updated on 11/06/2009
- What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms? *Updated on 11/06/2009
- I’m a student living in residence on the Ryerson campus. What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms? *Updated on 11/06/2009
- I had the flu earlier this year. Can I still get H1N1 flu?
- I had a flu shot this year. Can I still get H1N1 flu?
- Is there a vaccination to protect me against H1N1 flu? *Updated on 11/06/2009
- What’s the difference between a vaccination and an anti-viral drug?
- Should people take extra precautions, such as wearing surgical face masks, to avoid getting H1N1 flu? *Updated on 09/28/2009
- What actions can I take to be better prepared?
- Where can I find more information about H1N1 flu health-related questions?
What is H1N1 (Swine) flu?
H1N1 (Swine) influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the influenza A virus. H1N1 influenza viruses do not normally infect humans. From time to time, human infections do occur, resulting in the current H1N1 flu virus. The H1N1 flu virus causes a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal influenza.
Should I be concerned about the H1N1 flu?
The World Health Organization declared an H1N1 pandemic when the virus was found in many parts of the world. Although the H1N1 flu is currently similar to the regular seasonal flu, there is concern that the H1N1 virus could mutate into a more serious infection. Experts predict October and November are the most likely months for this to occur.
What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
H1N1 flu virus is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal influenza. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and lack of appetite.
How do you catch H1N1 flu? *Updated on 11/06/2009
Influenza is transmitted from person to person.
- Coughs and sneezes release the flu virus into the air where it can be breathed in directly by others within six feet.
- The virus can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs where it can be picked up on hands and transmitted when a person touches their mouth or nose.
What’s the incubation period for H1N1 flu? *Updated on 09/17/2009
The incubation period for influenza appears to be 4 days. People with influenza may be able to transmit the virus for up to 24 hours before symptoms appear, although people are most contagious in the first few days of having symptoms. Adults are infectious for seven days after symptoms appear while children are infectious for up to ten days after symptoms appear.
How can I protect myself and minimize exposure to H1N1?
All strains of influenza can be dangerous; however, good infection prevention measures can help protect you and others against seasonal flu and H1N1 flu.
- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. There are hand sanitizers for everyone to use at the entrance to washrooms and main entrances of buildings
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve – not your hands
- Avoid touching your eyes and nose
- Stay home and avoid crowds if you are sick, unless you need to or have been directed to seek medical care.
What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to H1N1 flu? *Updated on 11/06/2009
If you have no symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, fatigue and lack of appetite) continue as you would normally.
If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your health care provider or the Ryerson Medical Centre at 416-979-5070, TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Toronto Health Connect at 416-338-7600.
For more information on H1N1 flu symptoms and how to take care of yourself if you get sick please visit:
What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms? *Updated on 11/06/2009
If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your health care provider or the Ryerson Medical Centre at 416-979-5070, TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Toronto Health Connect at 416-338-7600.
For more information on H1N1 flu symptoms and how to take care of yourself if you get sick please visit:
I’m a student living in residence on the Ryerson campus. What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms? *Updated on 11/06/2009
If you have H1N1 flu symptoms, you should inform the Student Housing Services' office by phone at: 416-979-5284 or email housing@ryerson.ca
If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your health care provider or the Ryerson Medical Centre at 416-979-5070, TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Toronto Health Connect at 416-338-7600.
For more information on H1N1 flu symptoms and how to take care of yourself if you get sick please visit:
I had the flu earlier this year. Can I still get H1N1 flu?
Yes. If you were not infected with H1N1, you can still get H1N1 flu. There are many different flu viruses and there is no test to determine if you had H1N1 flu or not.
I had a flu shot this year. Can I still get H1N1 flu?
Yes. The regular seasonal flu shot does not protect against the H1N1 flu.
Is there a vaccination to protect me against H1N1 flu? *Updated on 11/06/2009
Immunization is the most effective way to prevent illness and to reduce the risk of transmitting the flu to those around you.
The Ryerson Medical Centre is offering H1N1 flu shots by appointment only on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Call the Ryerson flu vaccination clinic appointment hotline at 416-979-5000 ext.7222 or email your request to medicalct@ryerson.ca.
Satellite vaccination flu clinics will be held on campus on Wednesday. The locations, dates and times will be publicized in Ryerson Today and posted on this website as well as on the Ryerson Medical Centre homage. You can also visit your health care provider.
What’s the difference between a vaccination and an anti-viral drug?
A vaccine is any preparation intended to produce immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of antibodies. Anti-virals are drugs used for the prevention and early treatment of influenza. Two antivirals that appear to be effective in treating this illness are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
Should people take extra precautions, such as wearing surgical face masks, to avoid getting H1N1 flu? *Updated on 09/28/2009
No. There is no indication for the general public to wear surgical face masks at this time.
People who are sick with an influenza-like illness may wear a simple surgical mask if they are within 6 feet of people at home or in public to prevent spreading the viral infection.
Good infection prevention measures can help protect you and others against seasonal flu and H1N1 flu.
- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. There are hand sanitizers for everyone to use at the entrance to washrooms and main entrances of buildings
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or sleeve – not your hands
- Avoid touching your eyes and nose
- Stay home and avoid crowds if you are sick, unless you need to or have been directed to seek medical care.
What actions can I take to be better prepared?
Take care of yourself: sleep, eat, exercise and rest.
Public Safety Canada provides emergency preparedness shopping lists, planning forms and 72 hour emergency guides.
Where can I find more information about H1N1 flu health-related questions?
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