LEYTE PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE

HEALTH BULLETIN NO. 09-01

INFLUENZA A (H1N1) ADVISORY
1. WHAT IS INFLUENZA A (H1N1)?
ANSWER: This Disease is caused by an Influenza A (H1N1) virus
that constantly change its shape and composition thus making it
difficult to make vaccine to protect humans. This is just like the
ordinary or seasonal Influenza however if you have the virus A
(H1N1) you need an antiviral (Tamiflu) to shorten the length and
the infectivity.
2. IS THIS CONTAGIOUS?
ANSWER: Yes, the virus is very contagious and TRANSMISSION
is through:
1. Droplets from sneeze and cough of infected persons
2. Close Physical contact with an infected person whose
droplets from cough and sneeze had been place into nose,
mouth or eyes.
THE VIRUS IS ALIVE FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO HOURS
OUTSIDE THE HUMAN BODY.
3. IS THE VIRUS TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE AIR?
ANSWER: NO.
4. IS INFLUENZA A (H1N1) transmitted by eating pork?
ANSWER: NO. However, cook pork thoroughly before eating.
You cannot get the virus even from eating any other food.
5. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMTOMS IN HUMANS?
ANSWER: Symptoms are similar to the regular or seasonal flu :
1. Fever
2. Headache

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Fatigue
Muscle or joint pains
Lack of appetite
Runny nose
Sore throat
Vomiting
Diarrhea

6. WHEN AM I CONSIDERED A SUSPECT CASE FOR A

(H1N1)?
ANSWER:
1. If you have traveled to an infected countries in the world
and you develop the signs and symptoms of flu within ten
days from your arrival to the Philippines.
2. If you have been exposed to a confirm A (H1N1) case and
you develop the signs and symptoms of flu
3. If you are a contact of an H1N1 case with flu like
symptoms
7. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM EXPOSED AND DEVELOP
FLU?
ANSWER:
1. SEEK IMMEDIATE CONSULTATION AT THE NEAREST
HEALTH CENTER (RURAL HEALTH AND CITY
HEALTH OFFICE) OR IN A HOSPITAL
2. YOU MAY CALL PROVINCIAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL
SURVEILLANCE UNIT (PESU) AT TELEPHONE NO.
323-3118 (PESU HOTLINE). THIS IS 24 HOURS AND 7
DAYS A WEEK OPERATION (7/24) FROM 8:00 AM to
5:00 PM. THERE IS AN ASSIGNED OPERATION
CENTER PERSONNEL FOR THE DAY.
3. AFTER 5PM CONTACT DR. EDGARDO DAYA (PESU
CHAIR AND PROVINCIAL A H1N1 FOCAL PERSON)
THROUGH CELLPHONE NO. 09209175694.

8. HOW CAN I PREVENT THE VIRUS FROM ENTERING MY

BODY?
ANSWER:
1. ALWAYS WASH HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER
2. USE ALCOHOL (70% ISOPROPYL) AND DISINFECT
YOUR HANDS. OR YOU MAY USE ALCOHOL
BASED SANITIZERS.
3. AVOID CLOSE CONTACT WITH SICK PEOPLE
4. COVER YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH WHEN YOU SEE
SOMEONE COUGHING AND SNEEZING. YOU ALSO
DO THE SAME WHEN YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE.
5. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS
6. EAT NUTRITIOUS FOOD
7. DRINK VITAMIN C
The virus can easily be killed with washing hands with soap and
water. Also with the use of 70% alcohol and alcohol based
disinfectants.
AS LONG AS THE DROPLETS FROM SNEEZE AND COUGH
OF INFECTED PERSON WILL NOT BE IN CONTACT WITH
YOUR HANDS AND YOU DO NOT TOUCH YOUR NOSE,
MOUTH OR EYES, YOU WILL NOT GET THE VIRUS.
9. WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE INDICATED TO WEAR FACE
MASK?
ANSWER:
1. The Patient (Confirmed case) to prevent shedding or
transmitting the virus through the droplets from the cough
or sneeze.
2. Health workers and caretakers of patients in the Hospitals.
They must wear complete Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) - CAP, GOGGLE, FACE MASK, HAND
GLOVES, GOWN and BOOTS.
3. General Population with co-morbid or existing conditions

such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis,

kidney disease, liver disease, etc.
10. IF I DO NOT BELONG TO THE 3 INDICATED PERSONS
WHO MUST WEAR FACE MASK, SHOULD I WEAR
ONE?
ANSWER: NO
11. IS A (H1N1) here in the Philippines and in Leyte fatal?
ANSWER: NO. PATIENTS ARE RESPONDING WITH THE
ANTIVIRAL (TAMIFLU). EVEN THE CASES WE HAD IN
LEYTE. THE FIRST DEATH IN THE COUNTRY IS ONE WITH
CO-MORBID CONDITIONS (SHE HAD CONGESTIVE
HEART FAILURE,
DIABETES AND
PULMONARY
TUBERCULOSIS).
12. IF I AM VACCINATED FOR A FLU SHOT OR
PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA VACCINE SHOT, WILL I BE
SPARED FROM GETTING THE A (H1N1) VIRUS?
ANSWER:
NO. YOU WILL STILL GET THE VIRUS. IN THE FLU SHOT
THAT YOU RECEIVED, IN IT ARE VIRUSES FOR THE
KNOWN FLU VIRUSES BUT NOT FOR A (H1N1).
However, since the signs and symptoms are that of Ordinary or
Seasonal Influenza, then it is highly recommended that you have
the flu shot or the Pneumococcal Vaccine to prevent Pneumonia.
13. IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR A (H1N1)?
ANSWER:
YES. YOU ARE GIVEN AN ANTIVIRAL OSELTAMIVIR
(TAMIFLU). FOR ADULTS, 75 MG 1 CAPSULE 2X A DAY
FOR FIVE DAYS. FOR CHILDREN, THERE IS A
CORRESPONDING DOSAGE BASE ON WEIGHT.

14. CAN I TAKE TAMIFLU AS CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS SO I

WONT GET THE VIRUS?
ANSWER: NO. TAKING THE TAMIFLU WILL NOT HAVE ITS
EFFECT BECAUSE YOU DONT HAVE THE VIRUS. THE
ANTIVIRAL IS EFFECTIVE ONCE YOU HAVE THE VIRUS.
15. WHAT MUST THE FAMILY MEMBERS OBSERVE IF ONE
GETS THE VIRUS?
ANSWER: IF HOUSE CONFINEMENT IS ADVISED BY
HEALTH AUTHORITIES, THE FOLLOWING MUST BE
COMPLIED:
1. LET THE PATIENT WEAR FACE MASK AT ALL
TIMES.
2. DONT GO NEAR THE PATIENT. MAINTAIN
DISTANCE OF 1.8 METERS. IF YOU GO NEAR THE
PATIENT, WEAR GOGGLES AND FACE MASK.
3. PLACE THE PATIENT COMFORTABLY INSIDE THE
BEDROOM WITH OPEN WINDOWS
4. IF FAMILY MEMBER HAVE FEVER AND OTHER
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FLU, REPORT AND
CONSULT IMMEDIATELY.
PREPARED BY:
DR. EDGARDO E. DAYA, MPH (NSW)
PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICER I
PROVINCIAL H1N1 FOCAL PERSON