Infection
Q: Is the new A(H1N1) influenza contagious?
A: The flu virus is passed on relatively easily from one person to
another. Most commonly the disease is transmitted when a sick person coughs
or sneezes and someone else breathes in the tiny mucus particles which
contain the virus. The entry port for the virus is through the mucus
membranes in the respiratory system. The disease can also be spread by
touching something contaminated with the virus and then touching the
membranes of the nose, mouth or eyes.
Q: How can I catch the new A(H1N1) influenza?
A: The new A(H1N1) influenza is transmitted through:
- Contact with someone who has got the A(H1N1) flu. The disease is transmitted in
the same way as seasonal influenza, by coughing, sneezing and close
contact with people who are already infected. The sick individual may
also have the virus on their hands. The virus can then be transferred
from the hands to objects (door handles, etc) where it can probably
survive for a couple of hours. Other people can then get the virus on
their hands and transfer it to their nose and mouth. The risk of being
infected in this way is small.
- Contact with infected pigs or environments infected with A(H1N1) influenza, ie pig
farms and pigsties where infected pigs may have stayed). The new H1N1 virus
(swine flu) can be passed from people to pigs and then between pigs. It is
a major challenge for pig producers in Norway to keep their herds free
of the new virus. The first time a Norwegian pig herd was diagnosed as
having swine flu was on 10 October 2009.
More information (only in norwegian) about swine flu as a disease in animals
can be found on the websites of the National Veterinary Institute and the
Norwegian Food Safety Authority:
Q: How long is an infected person themselves contagious?
A: Nobody knows exactly as yet. But studies currently being undertaken
in Germany may give us the answer in the near future. Until then it is
recommended that those suffering from the new A(H1N1) flu be considered
contagious as long as they themselves are showing symptoms of the disease,
and up to seven days after the onset of illness. Based on experience from
seasonal flu we know that the virus can be identified in adults for 4.5 days
on average, in children for one day more. Some people continue to expel the
virus for 7-8 days. Those whose illness is complicated or long-lasting may
expel the virus for longer. Patients are considered contagious for as long
as there is evidence of the virus in their nose as throat. Those who are
only mildly affected will probably stop being contagious a day after they
feel well again, but this has not so far been documented.
Q: How long does it take between being infected and falling ill?
A: The incubation period, ie the time it takes between becoming
infected and falling ill, is normally 1-3 days. In some cases it can take up
to 8 days.
Q: Can I catch the new A(H1N1) influenza by eating or cooking pork?
A: No, the new A(H1N1) flu is not transmitted through food. You cannot
catch the new A(H1N1) flu by eating pork.
[Publisert: 25.11.2009]
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