H1N1 Updates

November 2, 2009

What you know about the H1N1 influenza virus

Thank you to everyone who took the H1N1 survey. Between Oct. 20 and Oct. 30, 561 staff and students responded to the online survey.

The survey was conducted to help Occupational Health & Safety and Corporate Communications evaluate our communications efforts on the H1N1 virus and to help us design future communications.

Here’s what you told us.

At least 90 per cent of you know that

• If you develop symptoms of H1N1 flu you should stay home from work or school until you no longer have symptoms and feel well enough to resume normal activities (95 per cent of you answered this correctly)
• If you are absent from NAIT due to flu-like illness you are responsible for reporting your absence daily to your program assistant if you are a student, or your supervisor if you are a staff member (93 per cent of you answered this correctly)
• Washing your hands often with soap and water is the one of the best ways to prevent transmission of H1N1 flu (98 per cent answered this correctly)
• You should cough or sneeze into your sleeve instead of into your hands (98 per cent of you answered this correctly)
• Immunization is a good defence against contracting the flu (90 per cent of you answered this correctly)
• Alberta Health Services will be offering two vaccines against flu this year; one for seasonal flu aimed primarily at high risk groups and another for the H1N1 influenza virus for all Albertans (93 per cent answered this correctly)

Where there was some uncertainty

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza
We asked whether nausea and diarrhea are common symptoms of H1N1 flu. They aren’t.

How you answered

• 49 per cent said they are
• 51 per cent said they aren’t

While some people may experience nausea and diarrhea, these are not common symptoms.

In an adult, symptoms include the acute onset of new cough or change in existing cough, plus one or more of the following:

• fever (> 38C on arrival or by history)
• sore throat
• joint pain
• muscle aches
• severe exhaustion

» Read more about symptoms of H1N1 influenza.

Preventing the spread of the influenza
We asked whether commercially produced hand sanitizers are the best defense against contracting H1N1 flu. They aren’t.

How you answered

• 40 per cent said they are
• 60 per cent said they aren’t

Waterless, alcohol-based (greater than 60 per cent) hand sanitizers can be used as an alternative to handwashing and are especially useful when access to a sink or warm running water is limited. However, use of hand sanitizers should not replace proper handwashing.

» Read more about proper handwashing.

How long can the influenza virus survive on surfaces
We asked whether the influenza virus can survive for 24 to 48 hours on non-porous surfaces such as computer keyboards, desks and tables. It can.

How you answered

• 85 per cent said it can
• 15 per cent said it can’t

We asked whether the influenza virus can survive for up to five minutes on the surface of your hand. It can.

How you answered

• 71 per cent said it can
• 29 per cent said it can’t

» Learn more about how long the influenza virus can survive on surfaces by reading Section 3, Best Practice to Control the Spread of Influenza, of the NAIT Pandemic Plan (pdf), which starts on page 14.

Once again, thanks to everyone who took the time to take this survey. With your help, we may be able to control how the H1N1 influenza virus spreads at NAIT.