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Listen to the audio file 'Important information from the Danish National Board of Health regarding H1N1 type flu'.
Better hygiene - avoid spreading the infection
Influenza is a virus transmitted via tiny drops from coughs, sneezing, and the like. The disease is transmitted once you breathe in the drops, or they stick to your hands and you subsequently touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
1. Wash your hands regularly
Flu virus easily sticks to your hands and is readily transmitted through handshakes as well as surfaces such as door handles, computer keyboards, water taps, etc. You should therefore wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If you do not have access to water, you may use rubbing alcohol.
2. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
Do not cough or sneeze into your hand. Instead, use a paper tissue or your arm. That way, you can avoid transmitting the flu infection when you touch door handles etc.
3. Stay at home if you are sick
Flu virus spreads easily in schools, work places, and day care institutions, where many people are gathered in one place. You should therefore stay at home until you have not had a temperature for 24 hours, and generally feel well. If you find yourself in need of medical assistance, use the phone rather than show up in your general practitioner's waiting room. That way, you can avoid infecting others.
High-risk groups and vaccinations
Some risk serious illness
You have to be particularly wary of the flu if you have asthma, diabetes, reduced immune response, impaired lung function (for instance due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis), cardiovascular disease, or if you have an obesity problem.
Pregnant women and infants may also be at particular risk if they contract the flu. If you are pregnant and contract the flu, or if you have an infant exhibiting flu symptoms, you should seek medical assistance.
If you belong to one of the abovementioned groups, it is important that you seek medical assistance if you or someone in your household exhibit(s) flu symptoms. You should likewise consult a doctor if you know that you have been exposed to infection.
High-risk groups will be offered vaccinations
The National Board of Health recommends vaccination against H1N1 (influenza A) for most people belonging to a high-risk group. The vaccination means that the risk of infection is reduced to practically nothing, and thus protects you from serious illness. Vaccinations are free. Consult your general practitioner regarding possible vaccination if you belong to a high-risk group.
If you are pregnant and have a chronic disease, the National Board of Health recommends vaccination against H1N1 type flu (Influenza A). Pregnant women in their second or third trimesters, and who have no health issues, will be offered vaccination after preliminary consultations with their general practitioner.
Symptoms and signs of danger
The symptoms of H1N1 type flu (Influenza A) are the same as the symptoms of common winter flu.
The symptoms of H1N1 type flu (Influenza A) are the same as the symptoms of common winter flu. That is, sudden fever of more than 38° C (100.4° F), muscular pain, sore throat, coughing, and, in some cases, diarrhoea. The disease usually lasts for a few days.
If you are taken ill, you don't have to do anything more, or anything other, than you would do in the case of the common flu. That is: stay at home until you feel well and have not had a temperature for 24 hours.
Call your doctor if your condition deteriorates
Call a doctor if you have the flu and you have trouble breathing, shortage of breath, or run a high fever for more than three days. In severe cases, the flu may cause pneumonia, which must be treated by a doctor.
You should also contact a doctor if you have a child below the age of three who runs a high fever, or will not drink or be breastfed.
H1N1 type flu (Influenza A) is a mild disease – for most people
In the vast majority of cases, the progression of H1N1 type flu (Influenza A) will be mild. However, the National Board of Health still regards the disease as serious. The lesson from other countries is that some people risk serious illness from infection with H1N1 type flu (Influenza A).
Additionally, we are not sure how the new flu virus may develop. We have to plan for the contingency that a virus may mutate and become more infectious, and result in graver illness.
The National Board of Health coordinates the H1N1 (Influenza A) response and informs the population of how to prevent infection. You can help limit the spread of infection by washing your hands regularly, and by staying at home if you are sick.
Stay up to date on H1N1 type flu (Influenza A) on our web site. You may also call our flu hotline, where we will answer your questions and give you our advice.
Source: Sundhedsstyrelsen, www.sst.dk
Telephone hotline: (+45) 72 22 85 22
