PRECAUTIONS REGARDING THE INFLUENZA A (H1N1) VIRUS REFERRED TO AS “SWINE FLU”

 In connection with the “swine flu” virus situation in some regions of North America, the Ministry of Health advises Bulgarian citizens to take the following necessary precautions:

1. Before setting off on a journey it is necessary to seek out information about the flu caused by the new influenza virus А /Н1N1/, referred to as “swine flu”, spread among people in the places to be visited.

2. Along with the antiviral medicines /Tamiflu, Relenza/, which can be used for prophylaxis or treatment, it is necessary to have a sufficient amount of wet towel wipes, eventually an alcohol-based hand disinfectant and a thermometer.

3. Information about where and how one can receive medical assistance at the final destination of the journey should be obtained in advance.

4. Journeys should be avoided in case of illness.

5. Influenza viruses spread from person to person mostly through coughing and sneezing. One may also get the infection by touching surfaces already infected by droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person, and then touching his/her eyes, nose or mouth. As some viruses and bacteria may survive for two or more hours on surfaces like door handles, panels etc., frequent hand washing helps reduce the possibility to get infected by touching surfaces.

6. As is the case with other infectious diseases, one of the most important precautions is to keep hygiene and wash one’s hands frequently and very carefully with soap and water. If there are no conditions for washing one’s hands, it is possible to use wet towel wipes, as well as alcohol-based disinfectants.

7. The “swine flu” symptoms do not differ from those of season human influenza. Because of this, one should watch out for the eventual appearance of these symptoms, i.e. fever, cough, cold, headache and all-over body aches, indisposition, severe fits of shivering, getting tired easily and in some cases vomiting and diarrhoea, within 7 days after the return and the eventual being infected /contact with persons who are infected or suspected to be sick, with surfaces that might have been contaminated by sick people/. As in the case of season human influenza, an infected person may develop pneumonia and respiratory disorders.

8. Close contact with sick people should be avoided during the journey.

9. If the above symptoms appear and if the status of an existing chronic disease gets worse within the above 7-day period, a consultation with your GP or with a specialist in infectious diseases is strongly recommendable. The doctor should be informed about the places visited, the direct contact with persons who are sick or suspected to be sick with “swine flu”.

10. “Swine flu” is transmitted through contact with infected people. “Swine flu” is not transmitted through food.