The questions are provided by the general public and the responses are provided by designated clinicians (doctors) or health care personals involved in the management of the H1N1 outbreak. These clinicians are part of the RIPAS H1N1 Committee, Ministry of Health.
One of my brothers who lives with me has just been admitted with H1N1 and I have young children living at home. How can I clean my brother’s room and the house effectively to prevent the spread of H1N1 to myself and my children?
Clean all surfaces with soap and water then disinfect with bleach (Clorox that contains 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite). This should be diluted one part of clorox with nine parts of water, meaning one capful mixed with nine capfuls of water. The use of disposable hand towels to wipe contaminated surfaces is also recommended. Open all windows in the room to get the maximum circulation of fresh air.
Is soap and water good enough to remove H1N1 virus?
Yes. Although soap and water do not kill the H1N1 virus or any other viruses, cleaning will generally remove most, if not all of the virus. Drying the cleansed area will also help as the virus does survive on dry surfaces for quite long.
Are any of the sanitizers that you can purchase from the shops effective?
Hand sanitizers that are effective are those that contain 70 per cent alcohol. Sanitizers that contain chlorexidine 0.5 per cent with 70 per cent alcohol are the recommended sanitizers used in healthcare settings.
How long can one of the masks that you can get from the shops be used before changing? How frequent do I need to wash one of the fancy masks that are made of cloth?
This depends on the type of disposable masks that you have. Surgical masks that you normally see in hospitals or clinics (blue or green in colour with white trimmings) can be used effectively for up to eight hours unless it has been soiled with nasal secretions or any other body fluids. The reusable masks (ie made of cloth) that includes the fancy looking ones should be washed every day.
It is also important to remember that when you wear your mask, try not touch the outer surfaces as this will contain filtered particles that may include contaminated droplets harbouring the virus.
Are Dettol and Dettol swabs effective for cleaning contaminated surfaces?
Dettol is a good antiseptic that is commonly used in most households. It has bactericidal properties but is not viricidal. This means that it can kill bacterial germs but not viruses. However, the act of cleaning contaminated surfaces will help to remove some, if not most, of the contaminated materials along with the virus.
What is the best cleaning liquid that I can get from the shops that can kill the H1N1 virus?
Clorox that contains 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite is the disinfectant of choice to destroy the H1N1 virus. Dilution strength is one part of clorox with nine parts of water. However, it is important to remember that the act of washing and cleaning will remove most of contaminated materials even with soap and water. Wiping the cleansed surfaces with a dry cloth or tissue will speed up the drying. The virus does not survive long on dry surfaces.
Do I need to boil my clothing or linens that might be contaminated?
The usual washing method is more than adequate for cleaning possible contaminated clothing or linens. However, you must be careful while handling contaminated linens or clothing especially if they are heavily contaminated and if the contaminations are still fresh. In a hospital setting, all contaminated materials are handled with care and at the very least, protective equipment such as gloves and aprons are used.
What are the current regulations for hospital visits?
We still do not encourage people to come to the hospital unnecessarily. This is because we want to avoid the risk of unsuspecting visitors passing H1N1 to vulnerable patients in the hospitals. Thermal scanners and manual temperature checks are not 100 per cent reliable and some H1N1 sufferers may still slip through the net and be allowed to enter the hospital. Therefore if hospital visitations are kept to a minimum, then we can at least limit the potential of ‘outside’ importation of H1N1 to the hospital.
Most of the wards will only allow a maximum of two visitors per patient but in certain ‘high risk’ wards, this may be reduced to only one per patient. However these restrictions are subject to change as deemed necessary by the appropriate ward managers.
For patients who require assistance or need to be accompanied, as per normal regulations, one person is allowed to be with the patient.
I am a nurse working closely with H1N1 positive patients and H1N1 suspect patients. Shouldn’t I be getting prophylaxis against H1N1?
There is no role for prophylaxis (Tamiflu) in healthy individuals even if they are in close personal contacts with H1N1 sufferers. However if you start to develop symptoms, then you will need to obtain advice from a doctor who may prescribe a treatment course of Tamiflu (five-days) and arrange for confirmatory swabbing test. You will not be allowed to work until your H1N1 status is confirmed (usually about two days). Currently we are still re-swabbing any health care workers who have been treated for H1N1 to ensure that they are not carrying the virus anymore before returning for duties. This is to ensure and avoid further spread to patients in case the person is still shedding the virus.
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