Please find below the most frequently asked questions regarding H1N1.

What is H1N1?
H1N1 influenza virus is:

• A new respiratory virus affecting people.
• The virus can spread from person-to-person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
• People can also become infected by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching either their own mouth or nose before washing their hands.

What are the symptoms of H1N1?
Acute onset of a new cough or change in an existing cough, plus one or more of the following:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches
• Severe exhaustion

Other symptoms can include headache, decreased appetite, runny or stuffy nose and chills.

Note:

• Individuals younger than five years of age or those 65 years of age and older may not have a fever.
• Some nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported in some people with H1N1.
• The fever usually goes down and the person starts to feel better in three to five days. However, exhaustion and cough can continue for several weeks. Influenza symptoms are different from those of a cold or a stomach upset.

How contagious is H1N1, and how long should you stay at home if you suspect you may have it?
The H1N1 virus can be in incubation for up to four days, however most individuals contract the virus 24 to 48 hours before showing any signs. An untreated previously healthy individual can spread the virus 24 hours prior to, and up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms.

Alberta Health Services is advising a seven-day isolation period.

What should I do if I think I have H1N1?
Before going to a doctor’s office, anyone with a fever or cough is encouraged to stay home and visit www.albertahealthservices.ca or call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465 for advice.

How can I protect myself from H1N1?
The Public Health Agency of Canada advises Canadians to:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze into your arm or sleeve.
• Wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Talk to a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms.

What is SAIT doing to protect students and employees from H1N1?
At all campuses, SAIT is taking proactive, cautionary measures to ensure we are prepared for an outbreak of H1N1 should it occur.

• H1N1-related information has been posted on all notice boards;
• Hand sanitizers have been placed at or near high-traffic public areas, such as food outlets, elevators, labs and in the student residences;
• Custodial staff have been directed to ensure regular disinfection of all SAIT buildings;
• Small bottles of hand sanitizers are available to SAIT employees at the main campus through the Health & Public Safety office (NJ407 within the Senator Burns building);
• SAIT Deans and Directors have provided pandemic response plans for their respective operations. For further information, please contact your School or Department directly.

SAIT is also following the direction of Advanced Education and Technology, Alberta Health Services and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s guidelines for reducing the risk of transmission within school settings. These include recommendations on teaching students and staff about proper hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, as well as increased measures in isolating the ill, disinfecting common surfaces, and reporting outbreaks to local public health authorities.

What can I do to be prepared?
Make preparations to care for yourself and your loved ones. Make sure you have the following items on hand:

• Pain and fever medication, like Tylenol or Advil, to treat fever and headaches
• A thermometer (disposable thermometers are available through the Health, Safety and Wellness office - NJ407 within the Senator Burns building)
• Extra supplies of any essential medication, like insulin for diabetics
• Cleaning supplies, like household disinfectant
• Soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep hands clean
• Non-perishable food, like canned soup and fruits and vegetables, and liquids such as water and juice in case you can’t get to the grocery store.

How serious is H1N1?
Certain people are at risk of developing serious complications, such as pneumonia, which may even result in death. These include:

• Children younger than two years of age.
• Adults 65 years of age and older.
• People with weakened immune systems.
• People with certain chronic illnesses, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes and cancer.

Are all pandemics severe?
No. An influenza pandemic may be mild, moderate or severe. An influenza pandemic means the virus is spread easily between humans, and affects a wide geographic area. An influenza pandemic does not necessarily cause more severe illness than seasonal influenza.

Are all cases of H1N1 severe?
No. The majority of Canadian cases of H1N1 have experienced mild illness and have recovered at home. Overall, the World Health Organization is describing this pandemic as moderate.

If I get sick with H1N1 once, does that give me immunity or can I get infected with it again?
When a person is infected with an influenza virus and recovers, they develop antibodies that provide them with immunity to that particular virus.

How long does the virus live outside of the body?
The H1N1 virus can live outside the body on hard surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastic, for 24-48 hours and on soft surfaces, such as cloth, paper, and tissues for less than 8 hours; it can only infect a person for up to two to four hours after being deposited on hard surfaces, and for up to a few minutes after being deposited on soft surfaces.

Should I take any extra measures like wearing surgical masks to avoid catching H1N1?
Canadians should continue to take normal precautions to protect themselves as they would from a regular flu. The Public Health Agency of Canada advises the best course of action is to wash your hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when ill. The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend that members of the general public wear surgical masks to protect against contracting H1N1. Evidence shows that this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public. People often use masks incorrectly, or contaminate themselves when putting masks on and taking them off, which could actually increase the risk of infection. The exception is people who are ill with H1N1 or people who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. In order to protect those in close contact, like doctors, nurses, and caregivers at home, these people may be asked to wear a face mask.

Can I be vaccinated for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza?
The H1N1 flu vaccine can be administered along with seasonal influenza immunization and other vaccines. People who have recently had the seasonal influenza vaccination can go at any point for H1N1.

Seasonal and H1N1 flu shots should be given in opposite arms. If an individual receives seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumococcal vaccine in the same day, the seasonal flu shot and the pneumococcal vaccine should be given in one arm, and H1N1 flu vaccine in the other.