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hat tip to oremus. These questions and answers are from the Argentina newspaper Buenos Aires Herald. This is posted for information purposes about news media reporting in Argentina. Many of the responses are incorrect and some are just wrong.
link: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/BreakingNews/View/5500
link: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/BreakingNews/View/5500
Questions and answers
43 things you should know about H1N1 A influenza.
1.- How long can the virus survive on a flat surface (i.e: a door handle)?
Up to 10 hours.
2. - How useful is the alcohol hand-gel?
Highly, it kills the virus.
3.- What's the most efficient mean of contagion?
The key factor for the virus to spread is humidity (mucus on nose, mouth and eyes), and via the air.
4.- Is it easy to get infected on airplanes?
No, it is less expected to get infected on an airplane.
5.- How can I avoid contagion?
Avoid touching face, eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid being with people with flu related symptoms Wash your hands at least ten times a day.
6.- What's the incubation period of the virus?
Average has been established at between 5 and 7 days, but symptoms appear immediately.
7.- When should I start taking medicine?
Within the first 72 hours people usually overcome to symptoms.
8.- How does the virus enter my body?
Through contact with other person, hand shaking, kissing, nose touching, and eyes.
9.- Is the virus lethal?
No, what causes death are the complications of the disease caused by pneumonia.
10.- What are the risks for the relatives of a H1N1's victim?
They can be virus Holders and start a contagious chain.
11.- Does water transmit the virus?
No, it doesn't. Water contains chemical substances and chlorine.
12.- What does the virus do when it provokes death?
A cascade of reactions, such as respiratory deficiency and pneumonia.
13.- When does contagion begin, before symptoms appear or after they are detected?
Before the symptoms appear.
14.- What are the chances of getting the virus a second time?
0%, because you become immune to it.
15.- Where is the virus in an everyday environment?
The virus can stay on flat surfaces, such as door handles, money, paper, documents, if there is humidity. Hand disinfection is recommended.
16.- If I go to a private hospital, will I be charged for my visit?
No, the Government has given medical support to all hospitals and you should not be charged.
17.- Does the virus attack people with asthma more frequently?
Yes, these pacients are more susceptible, but we can all get the virus.
18.- What population is the virus attacking?
People 20 to 50 years of age.
19.- Is it useful to cover your mouth?
There are some ways to do so which are more effective than others. However, if you are infected, covering the mouth area is recommended so that others will not get the virus.
20.- Can I exercise outside?
Yes.
21.- Does Vitamin C help?
It does nothing for prevention, but it will fortalize the immune system.
22.- Who will not get the virus, or who is less likely to get it?
No one is safe.
23.- Does the virus move?
No, it has neither feet not legs, one pushes it inside their organismo.
24. Do pets get the virus?
Not this type, but others, yes.
25.- If I attend a wake for a person who died from this virus, will I get it?
No.
26.- What is the risk for pregnant women to get the virus?
Pregnant women have the same chance of getting the virus but two people are getting contaminated with said virus. Measures should be taken against contagion.
27. Can the virus affect the fetus?
We do not know because it is a new virus.
28.- Can I take aspirin?
It is not recommended, unless it has been prescribed to you by a doctor.
29.- Does taking anti-viral medication work?
No.
30.- Can persons with HIV, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, etc. have more serious complications?
Yes.
31.- Can a strong flu become the H1N1 virus?
No.
32.- What kills the virus?
The sun, anti-viral gel, 5 days of being in the open air.
33.- What are hospitals doing to avoid contamination between patients?
Quarantine.
34.- Is alcohol gel effective?
Yes, very.
35.- If I received a flu shot, does it work against this virus?
No, there is not yet a vaccine for this virus.
36.- Is the virus under control?
Not totally, but the proper measures against contagion are being taken.
37.- What does it mean to go from Alert 4 to Alert 5?
Things do not change, but it means that the virus has spread from person to person in more than two countries. The 6th fase means it has spread in more than 3 countries.
38. Does an infected person who recovers stay immune?
Yes.
39.- Do kids with a cough and the flu have the virus?
It is not likely, since children are not highly affected.
40.- What measures should employees take?
Washing their hands several times a day.
41.- Can I get the virus if I am outside?
If there are infected persons, perhaps. However, the air is not a popular source of contagion for this virus.
42.- Can you eat pig meat?
Yes, there is no risk of contagion.
43.- What is the determinating factor for knowing when the virus is under control?
Even if the virus is held under control, it could resurface next winter and there would still be no vaccine.
43 things you should know about H1N1 A influenza.
1.- How long can the virus survive on a flat surface (i.e: a door handle)?
Up to 10 hours.
2. - How useful is the alcohol hand-gel?
Highly, it kills the virus.
3.- What's the most efficient mean of contagion?
The key factor for the virus to spread is humidity (mucus on nose, mouth and eyes), and via the air.
4.- Is it easy to get infected on airplanes?
No, it is less expected to get infected on an airplane.
5.- How can I avoid contagion?
Avoid touching face, eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid being with people with flu related symptoms Wash your hands at least ten times a day.
6.- What's the incubation period of the virus?
Average has been established at between 5 and 7 days, but symptoms appear immediately.
7.- When should I start taking medicine?
Within the first 72 hours people usually overcome to symptoms.
8.- How does the virus enter my body?
Through contact with other person, hand shaking, kissing, nose touching, and eyes.
9.- Is the virus lethal?
No, what causes death are the complications of the disease caused by pneumonia.
10.- What are the risks for the relatives of a H1N1's victim?
They can be virus Holders and start a contagious chain.
11.- Does water transmit the virus?
No, it doesn't. Water contains chemical substances and chlorine.
12.- What does the virus do when it provokes death?
A cascade of reactions, such as respiratory deficiency and pneumonia.
13.- When does contagion begin, before symptoms appear or after they are detected?
Before the symptoms appear.
14.- What are the chances of getting the virus a second time?
0%, because you become immune to it.
15.- Where is the virus in an everyday environment?
The virus can stay on flat surfaces, such as door handles, money, paper, documents, if there is humidity. Hand disinfection is recommended.
16.- If I go to a private hospital, will I be charged for my visit?
No, the Government has given medical support to all hospitals and you should not be charged.
17.- Does the virus attack people with asthma more frequently?
Yes, these pacients are more susceptible, but we can all get the virus.
18.- What population is the virus attacking?
People 20 to 50 years of age.
19.- Is it useful to cover your mouth?
There are some ways to do so which are more effective than others. However, if you are infected, covering the mouth area is recommended so that others will not get the virus.
20.- Can I exercise outside?
Yes.
21.- Does Vitamin C help?
It does nothing for prevention, but it will fortalize the immune system.
22.- Who will not get the virus, or who is less likely to get it?
No one is safe.
23.- Does the virus move?
No, it has neither feet not legs, one pushes it inside their organismo.
24. Do pets get the virus?
Not this type, but others, yes.
25.- If I attend a wake for a person who died from this virus, will I get it?
No.
26.- What is the risk for pregnant women to get the virus?
Pregnant women have the same chance of getting the virus but two people are getting contaminated with said virus. Measures should be taken against contagion.
27. Can the virus affect the fetus?
We do not know because it is a new virus.
28.- Can I take aspirin?
It is not recommended, unless it has been prescribed to you by a doctor.
29.- Does taking anti-viral medication work?
No.
30.- Can persons with HIV, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, etc. have more serious complications?
Yes.
31.- Can a strong flu become the H1N1 virus?
No.
32.- What kills the virus?
The sun, anti-viral gel, 5 days of being in the open air.
33.- What are hospitals doing to avoid contamination between patients?
Quarantine.
34.- Is alcohol gel effective?
Yes, very.
35.- If I received a flu shot, does it work against this virus?
No, there is not yet a vaccine for this virus.
36.- Is the virus under control?
Not totally, but the proper measures against contagion are being taken.
37.- What does it mean to go from Alert 4 to Alert 5?
Things do not change, but it means that the virus has spread from person to person in more than two countries. The 6th fase means it has spread in more than 3 countries.
38. Does an infected person who recovers stay immune?
Yes.
39.- Do kids with a cough and the flu have the virus?
It is not likely, since children are not highly affected.
40.- What measures should employees take?
Washing their hands several times a day.
41.- Can I get the virus if I am outside?
If there are infected persons, perhaps. However, the air is not a popular source of contagion for this virus.
42.- Can you eat pig meat?
Yes, there is no risk of contagion.
43.- What is the determinating factor for knowing when the virus is under control?
Even if the virus is held under control, it could resurface next winter and there would still be no vaccine.
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