|
top
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
Resources for Dental Professionals
 |
|
A colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) image showing the presence of a number of Novel H1N1 virus virions in a tissue sample.
Source: CDC
|
Influenza viruses have the great advantage of surprise on their side. But viruses are not smart. We are.
(Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO)
What is Novel Influenza A (H1N1)?
This is a new influenza A (H1N1) virus that has never before circulated among humans. This virus is not related to previous or current human seasonal influenza viruses.
Influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond a few people.
Unlike the avian virus, the new H1N1 virus spreads very easily person to person. It is transmitted as easily as the normal seasonal flu and can be passed to other people by exposure to infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.
As of June 11, 2009, WHO declared a phase 6 pandemic. WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. This assessment is based on scientific evidence available to WHO, as well as input from its Member States on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their social and economic functioning.
On October 24, 2009, President Obama signed an emergency declaration for H1N1 influenza.
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators. Access the latest information here.
It is important that we all stay informed to learn what we can do to protect ourselves and our dental patients and stay updated as the pandemic evolves. OSAP will continue to update this site regularly.
Back to the Top
How does it spread?
Spread of influenza A (H1N1) is thought to be happening the same way that seasonal flu spreads; mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. H1N1 flu viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
It is important to remember that germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person can move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
Back to the Top
Information for dental facilities
On November 23, 2009, the CDC updated specific guidance on the "Prevention of 2009 H1N1 Influenza Transmission in Dental Health Care Settings". This guidance recommends vaccination as one of the most important interventions for preventing transmission of influenza to health care personnel and encourages all dental health care personnel to receive seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccinations.
CDC's specific recommendations for dental health care also list using patient-reminder calls to identify patients reporting influenza-like illness and reschedule non-urgent visits until 24 hours after the patient is free of fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicine. OSAP's suggests that dental practices consider using the script provided below to help in this important preventive measure.
Additional recommendations are providing on how to safely care for patients with influenza-like illnes that require urgent care. And, dental staff are asked to self-assess daily for symptoms of febrile respiratory illness (fever plus one or more of the following: nasal congestion/runny nose, sore throat, or cough). Personnel who develop fever and respiratory symptoms should promptly notify their supervisor and should not report to work until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
One of the resources mentioned in the above dental guidance is CDC's Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings. OSAP encourages the dental team to review this site as it addresses visual alerts, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette, masking and separation of persons with respiratory sysmptoms and droplet precautions. It also has downloadable charts and recommendations on how and where to use them.
Downloadable Dental Protocols and Scripts include:
Additional resources for dental offices include:
Back to the Top
More information
American Dental Association. H1N1 Flu.
American Dental Education Association. H1N1 Flu. (Resources for dental academic institutions)
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). H1N1 Flu Clinical and Public Health Guidance.
American Industrial Hygiene Association. Position Statement H1N1, Aerosolized Transmissible Diseases.
Cal/OSHA (Issue Date: 10-22-09) Interim Enforcement Policy on H1N1 and Section 5199 (Aerosol Transmissible Diseases)
Canada Public Health Agency
Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy - University of Minnesota. Novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mitigation.
CIDRAP. Doing Business During an Influenza Pandemic.
Congressional Research Service. The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Selected Legal Issues.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Institute of Medicine (IOM). Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A.
Institute of Medicine (IOM). The Domestic and International Impacts of the 2009 - H1N1 Influenza A Pandemic: Global Challenges, Global Situation Workshop Summary.
JAMA: Surgical Mask vs N95 Respirator for Preventing Influenza Among Health Care Workers
Mexico - Secretaria de Salud. Alerta preventiva por brote de Influenza (Spanish Only)
Microsoft. Could I have H1N1 flu (swine flu)?
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu).
NEJM: H1N1 Influenza Center.
NIOSH. (Issued 11/9/2009) NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: University of New South Wales (MacIntyre) Study on Healthcare Worker Respirator Use
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
United Kingdom's Health Protection Agency (HPA) Swine Influenza site.
US Department of Health & Human Services. www.flu.gov. Know what to do about the flu.
US Department of Occupational Safety and Health. Pandemic Influenza.
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans With Disabilities Act.
US Food and Drug Adminsitration. FDA 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu Page.
World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1). Information on this page tracks the evolving situation and provides access to both technical guidelines and information useful for the general public.
Back to the Top
News of note
For the latest news on H1N1, please visit OSAP's Newsflash Web page daily.
And, please remember that each day's Newsflash is archived in Weekly Newsflash Archives (OSAP member registration required).
Back to the Top
|
