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Tamiflu - Source: Reuters -
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Many people will be sick during a flu pandemic, and it may be difficult to get medical or nursing care. You must be prepared to take care of yourself and others at home.
Personal hygiene is really important in reducing your the chances of getting the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus, or passing it on to others:
Wash and dry your hands frequently
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and dry them for 20
seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Wash your hands before preparing food and eating or smoking; after coughing, sneezing, wiping children's noses, visiting the toilet or changing nappies.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze and put your used tissue in a bin (if you don't have a
tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve - not your
hands).
Remember to wash your hands afterwards.
Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Germs spread that way.
Stay away from other people if you or they are sick
Try to stay a metre away from sick people to reduce the spread
of germs.
Reduce time spent in crowded settings.
Contamination and cleaning
Regularly clean flat surfaces such as bathroom sinks, bedside
cabinets, desks and table tops where germs can live for up to 48
hours. Wipe them down with a household disinfectant.
See also: Information on contamination and cleaning on the Centers for Disease Control (USA) website.
If you've got flu symptoms
Stay at home for seven days after your symptoms begin or until
you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
If your condition worsens
Seek medical advice by PHONING Healthline 0800 611 116 or your
healthcare provider first to avoid potentially infecting others
What to do if you have the flu
If you have the flu, it is important to:
+ stay home and let a relative or friend know if you are at home
alone
+ rest in a separate room that has good ventilation and is away
from other members of the household
+ don't share anything that may spread flu
+ drink small amounts of fluids often and keep your mouth clean and
moist by cleaning teeth regularly
+ take drugs that relieve pain and fever, eg, paracetamol or
ibuprofen. (Aspirin-type medications should not be used for
children and young people.)
+ gargle with a glass of warm water and/or suck on sugarless hard
sweets or lozenges for sore throats
+ use saline drops or nasal spray or decongestants for soothing and
clearing the nose
+ keep bedding and nightwear clean and dry if you are in bed
+ shower or bath regularly, or use a cloth to wash with warm water
and soap and make sure you wash your hands often for at least 20
seconds, drying them well afterwards or use antiseptic rubs
+ apply skin balm or moisturiser to prevent your lips, nose and
surrounding skin from drying out and cracking.
If you don't feel like eating or drinking:
+ try light fluid-type nutritional snacks such as chicken soup or
perhaps yoghurt
+ don't worry if you can't handle food, but keep taking fluids, try
an ice block or jelly.
If you aren't drinking enough, you may be dehydrated. You
may:
+ have no urine or very little, which will be a dark yellow
colour
+ feel confused or drowsy
+ have dull eyes
+ have dry skin that will have lost its elasticity (it won't spring
back when you pinch it lightly)
If you find it hard to breathe:
+ sit upright
+ contact your doctor immediately.
For information on caring for others with the flu click here
Treatment
Antiviral drugs
The new influenza A (H1N1) virus can be treated with antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or inhaler) that fight against influenza by keeping viruses from reproducing in your body. They make your illness milder and make you feel better, faster. They may also help stop serious influenza complications.
The government has enough of the antiviral medicine Tamiflu to treat around a third of the population. This has recently been supplemented with 135,000 treatment courses of Relenza.
These stocks will be used carefully to ensure the maximum benefit is gained for New Zealand. Priority will be to given to frontline health workers and those with less immunity, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with severe existing illnesses.
Medicines for managing symptoms
To manage symptoms you can take drugs that relieve pain and fever, eg, paracetamol or ibuprofen (aspirin-type medications should not be used for children and young people).
You can also use saline drops or nasal spray or decongestants for soothing and clearing the nose.
Vaccine
There is no vaccine available in New Zealand against the new influenza A (H1N1) virus. When the vaccine does become available, and if it is necessary, the Ministry of Health will provide details on how to get it.
Seasonal flu jab
The seasonal flu jab will not provide protection against the new
influenza A (H1N1) virus. However, the Ministry of Health strongly
advises New Zealanders to have the seasonal influenza vaccination
as it will make patients easier to diagnose and treat if they
become sick during an influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.
For more information visit the Ministry of Health website.
