INFLUENZA H1N1

THE recovery rate of Influenza A (H1N1) cases in Malaysia is very high according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. Liow said although there has been an increase in cases, the recovery rate was also very high because from the overall 434 confirmed cases, 343 had recovered while 91 are being treated in hospitals.As of 8am today, the total number of cases reported was 434, including 75 new cases, of which 41 were imported cases and 34 locally transmitted cases, he said.From the 75 new cases reported, 64 involved Malaysians and 11 foreigners from Indonesia (4), Philippines (3) and one each from Libya, Oman, Singapore and Australia.Liow said nine of the 34 locally transmitted cases involved those who attended the 8th Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium at the University Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang from June 27-30. "Four Sekolah Menengah Tsun Jin students who were quarantined had also tested positive," he said.He added that 1,016 contact cases were undergoing quarantine but none of them had shown any symptoms of the virus.Meanwhile, in Penang, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today denied that it had closed any of its faculties due to the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. USM acting vice chancellor, Prof Omar Osman said the university did not close any of its faculties as reported by a local Chinese daily."The situation in USM is under control, students and parents need not worry because precautionary measures have been taken after one of the participants who attended the Asia Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium here tested positive for H1N1. "The participant is now under quarantine in the Penang Hospital while all 120 students involved in the symposium have been asked to be home quarantined and classes are going on as usual," he told Bernama.

Comment:

I. How do we get infected with Influenza A(H1N1)?

• The A(H1N1) virus is mainly transmitted person to person by droplets that comes out the noses or mouths of infected people when they cough or sneeze.

• We can get infected if we inhale the droplets or touch something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touch our mouth, nose or eyes.

• A person can remain infectious as long as symptoms of influenza-like illness persist, or one day before and up to seven days after symptoms (especially fever) appear. Children and those whose immune systems are compromised can spread the virus longer.

Note: with graphics - “That is why you should…”

a. practise good cough etiquette and personal hygiene

b. clean commonly touched surfaces in the house/workplace

c. practise social distancing (stay 1m away from a person who is sneezing/coughing)

II. How does the Influenza A(H1N1) virus make us sick?

• The Influenza A(H1N1) virus is a virus that mainly affects our respiratory system. It penetrates cells lining our airways and replicates inside them. When they are released from infected cells, the infected cell is damaged.

• As our immune system fights the infection with an inflammatory response, it may cause swelling in our airways and we may have fever, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing.

III. How is Influenza A(H1N1) different from the common cold?

• High fever (>38°C) that lasts for three to four days, sore throat, headaches, severe body aches, extreme fatigue and severe cough are common in Influenza A(H1N1) but rare in common colds.

• Running or stuffy nose and sneezing, however, is sometimes present in Influenza A(H1N1) but prominent in common colds.

• While Influenza A(H1N1) can lead to other complications, colds generally do not result in serious health problems such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalisations.