H1N1 (Swine Flu) Guidelines

9/1/2009

Symptoms of Influenza A/H1N1 (Swine Flu):

  • Body aches, headache and sore throat
  • Sudden fever, possibly sudden dizziness, chills and fatigue
  • Cough, head and lung congestion
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Possibly diarrhea/nausea

If someone has symptoms and index of suspicion for Influenza A/H1N1:

Patient

  • Offer surgical mask to patient
  • Instruct patient
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of it in the trash
    • Wash your hands with soap and water or use the alcohol gel frequently
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Place in private room with Droplet and Contact Precautions as soon as possible
  • Isolate in room, negative pressure room is preferred
  • Identify patient and staff contacts who may have been exposed
  • Nasopharyngeal swabs for influenza (follow lab procedures)
  • Wear a mask and eye protection while swabbing

Caregiver

  • Nasopharyngeal swab for Influenza
    • Wear a N95 mask and eye protection while swabbing
    • Have ill individual put on a surgical mask if outside of room
    • Please discard mask after single use. It is not recommended to reuse masks
  • If presenting to emergency and not ill enough to be admitted
    • Send home
    • Refer to private physician or healthcare provider
    • Identify other patients and staff contacts who may have been exposed

Visitors

  • Wear surgical mask while in the facility. Send home if they are ill
  • Instruct them to avoid others, cover cough, sanitize hands and remain home
  • Refer to private physician or healthcare provider
  • Identify contacts who may have been exposed

Rapid Influenza test may NOT detect H1N1

  • Specialized testing is required
  • Notify Infection Control, supervisor, physician or healthcare provider and Infectious Diseases
    • Infection Control Office: 216.363.2654
    • Infection Control Pager: 216.819.5536
  • If testing for H1N1 is required, Infection Control will coordinate testing with the local Health Department. Call Infection Control for the latest testing requirements.

Please remind individuals that transmission occurs from exposure to an infectious individual, not from eating pork or pork products.

Vaccine Information

It is expected H1N1 vaccine will be available by mid-October. Initially, the vaccine may be in short supply. Five initial target groups should receive the vaccine first. These are:

  • Pregnant women
  • Persons who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months old
  • Health care and emergency medical workers who have direct patient contact or who may be exposed to the germ during the course of their work. May include nursing, physicians admitting, environmental services, etc.
  • Children ages 6 months to 18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
    • Chronic pulmonary (including asthma)
    • Cardiovascular (except hypertension)
    • Renal, hepatic, cognitive neurological, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
    • Immunosuppression caused by HIV or medications

It has not yet been decided if one or two vaccines will be needed. It is recommended that everyone receive the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.

What do I need to do at work?

  • Watch for signs and symptoms of influenza in yourself, relatives, co-workers and individuals in your care
  • Report to a healthcare provider and your supervisor immediately if you develop signs or symptoms of influenza
  • If you are sick, stay home
  • Symptoms of Influenza A/H1N1
    • Aches and pains, headache sore throat
    • Sudden fever, possibly sudden dizziness
    • Cough/head and lung congestion
    • Possibly diarrhea/nausea
  • If symptoms are present
    • Isolate: Droplet and Contact Precautions: patient/resident/client needs to stay in their room or at home!
    • Caregivers should use N95 respirator masks, eye protection, gown and gloves
    • Contact a healthcare provider immediately. If the affected individual must go into the public, they must wear a mask
    • Flu medications (Tamiflu and Relenza) are effective with this particular Influenza A/H1N1
    • Use antiviral medications with care
  • If you have questions, e-mail Linda Foy or go to www.cdc.gov.

What do I need to think about for myself and my family?

  • It is important to THINK and use common sense
  • Do not work if you are sick, and do not force children to go to school if they are sick
  • Eat right and get enough rest. Avoid crowds if possible. Don't touch your face
  • Wash hands with soap and water for 15-30 seconds or use hand sanitizer or wipes, especially when in public
  • Avoid any person who is coughing or sneezing
  • If you start to feel sick during your shift, notify your supervisor immediately and put on a mask
  • You will need to be evaluated by your private physician or healthcare provider. Go home
  • Contact your supervisor if you or your family member become sick with symptoms of flu

What you can do to stay healthy:

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way

Try to avoid close contact with sick people

  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people
  • If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
  • See your doctor if you have flu like symptoms

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing and sneezing of people with Influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and.or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).