Frequently Asked Questions On Influenza A (H1N1)

1. Should we be worried over the increasing number of deaths?

• There is no need to panic, the majority of those who contract H1N1 only suffer mild infection, and almost 98% recover with or without treatment.
  

2. Some of those who have died were not in the high-risk group. They were young and otherwise healthy. Does this means the virus has mutated?

• The Institute for Medical Research is studying this.
  

3. Who are the high-risk group?

• Children under 5 years old;
  
• Adult more than 65 years old;


• Pregnant women;


• Chronic pulmonary (incl. asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal hepatic, hematological (incl. sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (incl. diabetes mellitus);
  
• Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;


• Persons with immunosuppresion, including that caused by medications or by HIV;


• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;


• obesity.
  

4. Is the majority those who died in the high-risk category?

• Yes.
  

5. Would it be advisable to temporarily shut down all shops and offices to contain the spread?

• No, as there is no sustained local transmission.

6. How can the spread be contained then?

• People who are sick and displaying flu-like systoms should stay at home. Wear masks when interacting with family members ro visitors.
  

7. Can Tamiflu be used to prevent one from contracting H1N1?

• No, it should not used as a preventive measure as it may cause one to be resistant to it, such cases have been reported in the US, Maxico, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong and Japan.
  

8. Can we go for throat swabs at private clinics?

• No, private clinics have rapid test which will ascertain whether you have H1N1.
  

9. Is the rapid test accurate?

• It has only 60 ~ 80% sensitivity, so there is a high chance of false negatives, so even if you are tested negative, you may have H1N1.
  

10. Is it advisable to take the rapid test then?

• If you are willing to accept the limitations, go for it, that will spare you the long queue at the government hospitals.
  

11. Will the death rate continue to go up?

• Yes, especially among those in the high-risk group, if people continue to be lackadaisical about the pandemic.
  

12. If I have a family member at home who is infected with H1N1, should I go to work?

• If you have flu-like symptoms such as fever (above 38'c) and one more of these - cough, difficulty in breathing, body ache, headache or sore throat, you should immediately seek medical treatment from nearest doctor;


• Please inform doctor that you have in-contact with a H1N1 patient;


• Avoid close contact for 7 days;


• Practice good personal hygiene.
  

Resource from Ministry of Health Malaysia.