Influenza Self-Assessment Tool

If you think you may have the flu, please visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's online self-assessment tool. It can help you learn whether you or your child have symptoms of the flu and what steps you should take.
Click here to access the influenza self-assessment tool.

About the H1N1 flu virus

Women’s College Hospital is doing everything possible to keep our patients, visitors, staff and volunteers safe from the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

We are actively monitoring information regarding H1N1 through various health agencies including the World Health Organization, Toronto public health and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We are also tracking all outbreaks, and are following every precaution recommended by national and international experts.

But we can’t do it alone. The H1N1 flu virus spreads throughout our community, not just at the hospital. We need to work together to help keep everyone healthy. So we are asking that you do not come to the hospital if you are suffering from a new cough, fever, runny nose, vomiting and/or diarrhea. If any of these symptoms develop:

• patients should contact their physician’s office and reschedule appointments
• Women’s College Hospital employees and physicians should notify occupational health and safety

In order to stay safe and healthy, make sure to wash your hands frequently, thoroughly and properly.

• For information about how to protect yourself from the H1N1 flu virus, click here.
• For information on how to care for loved ones with respiratory illnesses at home, click here.
• Have more questions?  Check out Women’s College Hospital’s Q&A for H1N1 flu information.
• For a list of additional resources, click here.
• For information from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in other languages, click here.

 

Protecting yourself from H1N1 flu virus

There are some simple things that you can do to reduce the risk of getting sick and to protect people around you from developing the illness:

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• stay at home if you are ill
• avoid touching your nose and eyes
• maintain a distance of two metres (six feet) from people who are ill
• use a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and make sure your head is turned away from others around you
• disinfect surfaces and objects you use frequently, such as computers and telephones
• get your annual flu shot

If you or a family member become ill, refrain from visiting public places, and take all necessary steps to minimize the spread of germs.

 

Caring for loved ones with respiratory illness at home

These simple steps can help keep you safe and healthy while caring for loved ones with influenza-like illnesses and other respiratory infections:

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for an ill family member and after touching possibly contaminated surfaces or objects like used tissues
• disinfect surfaces and objects around those who are ill
• dispose of used tissues immediately
• refrain from sharing objects that may touch the mouth or nose of the ill person including towels, drinking glasses and toothbrushes
• if possible, have the ill person stay in an isolated room, away from other family members
• when in the same room, remain at least six feet away from the sick person
• wear a mask while tending to an ill loved one, to help prevent the spread of infection
• get enough rest to feel refreshed each day
• help your immune system get the necessary vitamins and nutrients as suggested by Canada’s Food and Nutrition guide

 

Q&A: Influenza A H1N1

What is Influenza A H1N1?

Influenza A H1N1 is a new, or novel, influenza virus. Since this is a new strain, people will likely have no natural immunity to protect against the virus.

H1N1 flu virus causes a respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, coughing, muscle aches, headache, runny nose and sore throat.

Like all influenza viruses, H1N1 is contagious and can be spread from person to person. Although more research is needed, experts believe the virus is spread when germs enter the nose and/or throat. It can also be spread indirectly by touching contaminated objects such as pens, door knobs, counters, glasses etc.

It is important to note that this is not “bird flu” or SARS.

Who is at greatest risk of getting H1N1?

As there is limited or no natural immunity to the H1N1 flu virus, all people are at risk of acquiring it. However, there are some people who are at higher risk of developing complications from the H1N1 virus, including:

• pregnant women, in their second and third trimester
• post-partum women
• those with chronic lung disease, including asthma and COPD
• children
• people with chronic health conditions

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is an epidemic (a sudden outbreak) of infectious disease that has become very widespread throughout the human population and affects a whole region, a continent or the world. Examples of previous pandemics include tuberculosis, chickenpox and polio.

Influenza A H1N1 has been declared a pandemic because of its widespread nature and the lack of natural immunity. The term refers to the spread of disease, not the severity of the virus.

The World Health Organization requires three conditions to be met before declaring a pandemic:

• emergence of a disease new to a population
• agents infect humans, causing serious illness
• agents spread easily and sustainably among humans

Is there a vaccine or flu shot that can protect me?

There are annual flu shots that will protect people from seasonal flu. While there is no existing vaccine for an influenza pandemic, we now have a H1N1 vaccine available through Public Health Clinics and Family Physician offices.

How and when are antiviral drugs going to be used?

There are two antiviral medications that are effective for treating and preventing influenza. They are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). If you are assessed by a physician, and it is determined that you require these medications, you will be provided with a prescription that can be filled at your local pharmacy.

When should an infected person seek medical care?

If you become ill and experience any of the following symptoms, contact your health-care provider, or visit an urgent care centre or emergency department:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• sudden dizziness
• confusion
• severe or persistent vomiting
• flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

Currently, most affected people are experiencing mild symptoms that do not require any hospitalization or visit to an emergency department. Being assessed by a family physician or walk-in clinic in many cases is sufficient. However, if your symptoms worsen quickly, or don’t improve, you should seek medical attention.

 

For more information on H1N1 flu, please visit the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – http://www.cdc.gov/

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - http://www.health.gov.on.ca/

Public Health Agency of Canada - http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/

World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/

Toronto Public Health - http://www.toronto.ca/