How it spreads
The pandemic influenza virus is thought to spread in much the same way as seasonal flu viruses, which is:
- In the air from coughs, sneezes or even talking by people with influenza who are close by.
- By touching contaminated surfaces, like door knobs or bench tops, and then touching your mouth or nose.
- When there is skin to skin or oral contact with an infected person.
With seasonal flu, people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to seven days after they get sick, although contagiousness declines rapidly after five days.
Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.
Flu viruses can survive on some
hard surfaces for up to two days. You should regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, taps, tables, benches and fridge doors. Flu viruses can be inactivated and removed with normal household detergents.
Flu viruses can survive on
unwashed hands for 30 minutes, and on cloth, paper and
tissues for up to 12 hours. This is why it is important to always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and to dispose of used tissues in a bin straight away.
You can minimise the spread of the pandemic influenza in your household and in the community by maintaining good household and personal hygiene, avoiding close contact from others (at least 1 metre apart) if you or they are ill, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
More detail on www.healthemergency.gov.au:
