Health Department issues H1N1 precautions

People travelling abroad should take precautions to avoid getting the H1N1 virus, the Health Department said this morning.

It said in a statement that although the World Health Organisation had not restricted travel, the virus was spreading and there were already 100 countries affected. So it was prudent that people who were sick did not travel as this would be risky for them and others.

The H1N1 virus spread from one person to another when sneezing or coughing or through direct or indirect contact with the respiratory secretions of infected persons.

Precautions that could be taken include hand washing, covering one’s mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth. One should also avoid being in closed places and contact with sick persons.

If one felt ill when abroad, one should stay inside and get a doctor to visit. No one should take Tamiflu unless on the doctor’s orders.

H1N1 symptoms could include fever, coughing, sore throats, runny nose, aching bones, headaches, tiredness and feeling cost.

If one developed a feverof over 37.5 degrees Celsius and flu symptoms within seven days of returning from a country where the virus is present, one should contact his doctor or call 2132 4086.