Influenza A (H1N1) Update

The Swine flu or Mexican swine flu that wreck havoc to our self imposed security is a new influenza virus. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus. CDC has determined that Influenza A H1N1 is contagious and has proven human to human spread. Like the other influenza viruses, it is spread through droplet spread like sneezing and coughing. Currently CDC believe that H1N1 has the same spreadbility as the seasonal flu. Studies have shown that an infected person is contagious from day 1, even before symptoms can be seen, and up to day 7 of illness.

Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 infection presents with fever, cough, colds, runny nose, and sneezing, sore throat, generalized body malaise and muscle pains, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

Currently there are 5 people suspected of being infected here in the Philippines. They are being observed in the Isolation ward of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, in RITM, and in San Lazaro Hospital. Of these 5 suspects, 3 were already discharged after testing negative for the virus.