INFLUENZA A (HINI) and You FAQs What is Influenza A (HIN1)?

Influenza A (HIN1) flu is an illness caused by a novel reassortant virus which at present has affected more than 60 countries. More than 20,000 cases have been confirmed and deaths (more than a hundred) have been reported. Is Influenza A (HIN1) contagious? Yes. It has been determined that this influenza A (HIN1) virus is easily transmissible and spreads from human to human. What are the signs and symptoms of Influenza A (HIN1) in people? The symptoms of influenza A (HIN1) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu:fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with influenza A (HIN1). Like seasonal flu, influenza A(HIN1) flu may cases a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions like heart disease and chronic lung diseases. How does influenza A (HIN1) flu spread? Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people sick with flu. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. How can someone with the flu infect someone else? Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms developed and up to 10 or more days after becoming sick. It may take longer for younger children to shed the virus and infect others. That means that one may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. What should I do to keep from getting the flu? First and most important: WASH YOUR HANDS. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. How long can an infected person spread the Influenza A (HIN1) to others? People with influenza A (HIN1) could potentially transmit the illness for as long as they are sick and up to 10 days following the onset of illness. Children might potentially transmit this for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination? Germs can be spread when a person touches his eyes, nose or mouth after touching a contaminated surface. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on surfaces like doorknobs, desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose.

How long can viruses live outside the body? We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent HANDWASHING will help you reduce the chance of getting contaminated. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against influenza A (HIN1). Take these easy steps to protect you and your loved ones: Cover you nose and mouth with a tissue paper when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue paper in the trash after you use it. Wash you hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-base hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you get sick with influenza, proceed to The Medical City Emergency Department. Limit contact with others.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? Wash with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may also be used. These should contain 70% isopropyl alcohol. Can I be protected by my flu vaccine? The flu vaccine being administered for these year does not have an effect on the HIN1 virus. But it will definitely provide you with good protection against the ordinary flu, therefore it is still advisable to have one. Should I take Tamiflu when I start to feel sick? No, Tamiflu or any medicines for that matter, should only be taken when prescribe by any be taken when prescribed by a physician. What should I do if I get sick? If you have traveled to countries with confirmed cases of influenza a (HIN1) or had close contact with sick persons who came from these countries within the last 10 days, monitor youself or flu like symptoms. If you develop the common clinical manifestations previously enumerated please proceed to the Medical City Emergency room.

Dont forget to wear a mask! In children, warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish skin color Not drinking enough fluids Not waking up or not interacting Being unusually irritable and difficult to console or comfort

Flu-like symptoms improve then recur with worse symptoms Fever with a rash

In adults, warning signs that need urgent medical attention to include: Difficulty of breathing or shortness or breath Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness Confusion Severe or persistent vomiting Can I get Influenza A (HIN1) from eating or preparing pork? No. Influenza A (HIN1) flu viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get influenza A(HIN1) flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked products is safe. Does the Philippines have confirmed cases of Influenza A(HIN1)? Yes. According to the DOH, the country has 33 confirmed cases of Influenza A (HIN1) flu (As of June 5, 2009). The country, however, is still on Alert Level 2 as declared by the DOH. Please watch out for bulletins from the DOH and The Medical City for current updates.

FALLS Falls are one of the most common adverse events in hospitals. You can fall primarily because of your medical problems, weakness, imbalance, dizziness, age, or the medicines you take. In the unfamiliar environment of the hospital, you can become disoriented or unable to move safely inside you room. YOU CAN help us in keeping you safe from falling. Tell us if you have any history of falling so we can take precautions. Carefully orient yourself inside your room you move about. Turn on the main light. If you are allowed to get off your bed, do so only when it is absolutely needed and always ask for help. Be careful not to knock off or disengage any medical equipment or tubings which are attached you. Have the rails of your bed locked when they are raised. And dont get off or on your bed or wheelchair unless the wheels are locked. If you are allowed to go to bathroom, always ask for help. People often fall inside bathrooms, ours or anybodys. Your room has limited floor space. Dont clutter it. Dont move the furniture around. No personal belongings on the floor, please! No food trays on the floor, either! If you spill anything on the floor, call Housekeeping immediately. You have a call button near your bed and in the bathroom. Use it to call for assistance. Wear non-skid footwear when walking . Socks and stockings are slippery. If you are on official patient watcher, be always alert. Anticipate your patients needs. Never leave your patient alone. Call the nurse first. In case, your patient should take a fall, BUZZ/CALL for a nurse! The Medical City supports a fall-free environment. Make sure that you read and understand these reminders. These are for your safety.

DENGUE WHAT IS DENGUE FEVER? Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito It can present as a mild simple flu like illness or as a severe Dengue Shock Syndrome which could lead to DEATH WHO GETS DENGUE FEVER? Dengue fever may occur in people of all ages. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE FEVER AND DENGUE HEMORRHAGIIC FEVER? Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains. Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. The illness can last from 7 to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children. Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever, where the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding and shock. Bruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessel can collapse, causing shock (dengue shock syndrome). Dengue hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children and young adults. HOW SOON AFTER EXPOSURE DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR? The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of the symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about 6 days.

WHO IS AT RISK FOR DENGUE? Anyone who is bitten by infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk factor s for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a persons age and immune status, as well as the strain of the virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus are at greater risk of developing severe dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again. WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR DENGUE FEVER AND DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER? There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Persons with dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue fever is treated by replacing lost fluids, but some patients will need to be hospitalized for fluid replacement and monitoring.

HOW CAN DENGUE BE PREVENTED? There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites is a key prevention measure. It can be done by discarding items that can collect rain or run-off water, especially old tires. Regularly change water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water containers. Avoid mosquito bites by use of mosquito repellants on skin and clothing. When outdoors, during times that mosquitoes are biting, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into sucks. Avoid heavily populated residential areas. When indoors, stay in air conditioned or screened areas. Use bed nets if sleeping areas are not screened or air-conditioned. If you have symptoms of dengue, report your travel history to your doctor.

IF I HAD PREVIOUSDENGUE INFECTION CAN I GET IT AGAIN? Infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection with another type of virus but it protects a person against infection with the same virus type.

HOW IS DENGUE SPREAD? Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito (mosquito with white dots on the legs). The mosquito transmit the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else. WHERE IS DENGUE FOUND? Dengue is common in Asia, especially in our country. Dengue is most common in cities but can be found in rural areas. The mosquitoes that transmit dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums. And water storage containers lose to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during day.

BREAST CANCER Facts About Breast Cancer Breast Cancer is the abnormal growth and uncontrolled division of cells in the breast It can invade and destroy surrounding normal tissue It can spread throughout the body WHAT CAN MAKE YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER GO DOWN? Eating healthy diet Losing extra weight Regular exercise Reducing alcohol use Quitting smoking Minimizing/eliminating extra estrogen Preventive measures for high risk (surgery, medication) WHAT CAN MAKE YOUR RISK FOR BREAST CANCER GO UP? Personal or family history of breast cancer Smoking Excessive weight Prolonged estrogen exposure Abnormal breast cell growth First full-term pregnancy after age 30 Never having a full term pregnancy Heavy alcohol use Early start of menstruation Late menopause Risk Factors Family history of breast cancer Early menstruation Le menopause Taking menopause hormone therapy for over five years with estrogen alone Women who are over 30 years of age when they bear with first child Women who have not borne children Obesity and high fat-diet Exposure to estrogens in the environment 9such as estrogen fed to fatten up beef cattle, or the breakdown products of the pesticide DDT, which mimic the effect s of estrogen in the body Having more than two alcoholic drinks per week, which can limit your livers ability to regulate blood estrogen levels Warning Signals and Early Detection Symptoms A swelling of part of the breast Skin irritation of dimpling Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward

Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin A nipple discharge (other than breast milk) A lump in the underarm area

Detection Plan Clinical breast examinations every three years from ages 20-39, then ever year thereafter Monthly breast self-examination s beginning at age 20. Look for any changes in your breasts Baseline mammogram by the age of 40 Mammogram every one to two years for women 40-49, depending on previous findings Mammogram every year for women 50 and older A personal calendar to record your self-exams, mammograms, and doctor appointments