Despite all the news updates on the H1N1 influenza pandemic, there are still a lot of misconceptions floating around. To prevent spreading or catching this virus, it’s critical that everyone be armed with the facts. So here’s a “Fact” or “Fiction” test you can share with your workers to see whether you’re all up to speed on your H1N1 knowledge.

8 Fact or Fiction Questions

1. Having a seasonal flu shot actually increases your chances of developing severe swine flu.
Fact or Fiction

2. Wearing a surgical mask when out in public is the most effective method people can use to prevent catching the H1N1 flu virus.
Fact or Fiction

3. Symptoms of H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.
Fact or Fiction

4. A pandemic means that there’s nothing that people can do to prevent the virus from spreading.
Fact or Fiction

5. H1N1 is similar to seasonal flu in that people who are 65 or older are considered at high risk for developing both types of flu.
Fact or Fiction

6. If you are sick with flu-like illness, you should stay home until your fever has disappeared for at least 24 hours.
Fact or Fiction

7. You should stop eating pork because you can catch the “swine” (H1N1) flu that way.
Fact or Fiction

8. There are no effective treatments for the H1N1 virus.
Fact or Fiction

Answers

1. Fiction: A preliminary analysis of data from hospitalized H1N1 flu patients in Canada has found no link between previous seasonal flu shots and an increased risk for developing H1N1 flu, says Dr. David Butler-Jones, head of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

2. Fiction: There is no evidence to suggest that a person who wears a surgical mask will be protected against the H1N1 virus, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Masks do not act as an effective barrier against H1N1 flu when they are worn for extended periods of time and if masks are not removed correctly, they can spread virus to the wearer’s hands and face.

3. Fact: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists all of these symptoms for H1N1 flu. However, the CDC notes that some people who have the H1N1 flu may have respiratory symptoms without fever.

4. Fiction: A pandemic means that multiple countries are affected and that humans are easily spreading the virus among one another. But it is not a given that you will be infected. Frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with people who are known to be infected or say they feel unwell, and keeping your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes are all recommended practices for reducing your chances of getting the flu. And sneezing or coughing into a tissue or your elbow—not into your hands or the air— can help prevent others from getting it. (Source: Public Health Agency of Canada.)

5. Fiction: The CDC says that adults older than 64 appear to be at reduced risk for developing H1N1 flu than other segments of the population. That’s because many older adults may have acquired antibodies against the virus. No children and very few young-to-middle-aged adults have such antibodies.

6. Fact: The CDC says your fever must be gone for at least a day without the use of fever-reducing medicine. And even then, when you venture out you should keep your distance from others, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands frequently.

7. Fiction: You cannot catch H1N1 flu from eating pork. (Source: Public Health Agency of Canada.)

8. Fiction: Two prescription antiviral drugs, Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and Relenza (zanamivir) are effective in treating H1N1 influenza. However, the Public Health Agency of Canada is recommending the use of antivirals only when H1N1 symptoms are moderate to severe and a patient is at great risk for complications because of pre-existing health conditions such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes.

Conclusion

As long as the H1N1 flu makes the headlines, there will also be misinformation. But remember: not everything you read on the Internet or hear from your close friend or co-worker is true. It only takes a few minutes to visit the authoritative sites – such as the CDC flu site and the Public Health Agency of Canada – to separate the fact from the fiction.

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