The H1N1 flu virus (also known as swine flu) is a new strain of influenza that was first identified in April 2009. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, everyone is at risk of catching the H1N1 flu virus, as people have no natural immunity against it. However, while the seasonal flu typically affects seniors and young people, the H1N1 flu virus seems to affect more young and healthy people than the regular seasonal flu. On top of that, those with chronic or underlying medical conditions and pregnant women may be at a greater risk for developing complications from the flu.
How to Recognize H1N1 Symptoms
Although the exact period during which someone is contagious is yet to be determined, it is believed that an infected person can start spreading the virus to others 24 hours before symptoms start, and they will remain contagious for approximately 7 days after symptoms have started.
Symptoms include:
- Almost always: coughing and fever
- Usually: fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, runny nose and decreased appetite
- Sometimes: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
How to Prevent H1N1 Infection:
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the following prevention methods:
- Washing hands with soap and warm water.
- Using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content. This is especially recommended while traveling and when soap and water are not immediately available.
- Sneezing and coughing into one’s sleeve or a tissue to avoid spreading the germs.
- Avoiding contact with sick people who are showing flu like symptoms.
- Getting the flu shot.
- Regularly cleaning and disinfecting surface areas such as door knobs, light switches, telephones and computer keyboards.
- Eating healthy foods and staying physically active to maintain a strong immune system.
Pandemic Measures to Protect Employees against the H1N1 Virus
Infected employees can easily spread the virus to colleagues and clients they come into contact with. To prevent company-wide infection and protect employees and their families, companies should consider implementing the following pandemic measures:
- Educating employees on how the H1N1 flu virus spreads, symptoms, treatment and prevention methods.
- Providing information through corporate intranet sites, health and wellness newsletters, lunch-and-learns, or dedicated hotlines (1-800 numbers).
- Providing each employee with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and making them available in areas such as washrooms, kitchens, training rooms and meeting rooms.
- Allowing employees to get the H1N1 flu shot during working hours, without their pay being affected by this.
- Encouraging employees to stay home and see a doctor as soon as they start feeling sick.
- Implementing a user-friendly system to keep track of employees’ unavailability due to sickness, and ensure their work is covered during their absence.
While there is no need to panic about the H1N1 virus, it is important for all employees to be informed and know what to do in case of sickness. Leaders, in particular, must be aware of what needs to be done in times of crisis, and should have a contingency plan in place in case key team members get sick.
For more information on the H1N1 virus and how to stay healthy, check out the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
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