H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza) - Home Quarantine - What you need to know
Last Updated: 11 June 2009
A new influenza virus that spreads between people has recently been identified (H1N1 Influenza 09). This influenza is also called human swine influenza, because it is derived from an influenza virus that normally infects pigs. The situation is rapidly evolving.
Why have I been told to stay in home quarantine?
You have been told to stay at home in quarantine because you have been in close contact with someone who has signs or symptoms of H1N1 Influenza 09 (human swine influenza). This measure is very important in preventing the further spread of the virus.
Your assistance in maintaining quarantine is appreciated.
Under the NSW Public Health Act, health officers are able to instruct members of the public to stay at home and not leave their home or garden in order to prevent the spread of H1N1 Influenza 09.
When a person with the flu breathes, coughs or sneezes they can spread the flu virus. Droplets carrying the virus can spread up to a metre onto surfaces such as tables, benches and floors.
If you sneeze or cough onto your hands and then touch household items (e.g. doorknobs, keys, taps), these items can also become contaminated. It is thought the virus can survive on hands for 30 minutes, and for up to 48 hours on some surfaces.
What is home quarantine?
Quarantine means separating people who have possibly been exposed to H1N1 Influenza 09 but are not showing signs of H1N1 Influenza 09 from other people in the general community or at home.
How long will I be in quarantine?
If you have been in contact with someone who has H1N1 Influenza 09, you will receive antiviral medications as a preventive measure. If the person you were in contact with is proven to not have H1N1 Influenza 09, or if you remain well for 72 hours after starting medication, the quarantine can stop. In some cases, medication may not be appropriate, and in these cases quarantine needs to continue for seven full days, or until the person with whom you were in contact is proven to not have H1N1 Influenza 09.
You will be told by a health care worker when you can leave your home.
Will I need to have tests done?
You will not need to have any tests done unless you develop signs or symptoms of H1N1 Influenza 09. Your local Public Health Unit will tell you your results as soon as they are available.
Can I have visitors?
No, unless they are health care workers coming to treat or check on your progress. Non-household members should not enter your household. You should warn expected guests by telephone that they should not visit until you are allowed out of isolation.
In the event of a household emergency, or a situation where you need to have someone visit your home, please refer to the Being in the community with people in quarantine fact sheet: www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/factsheets/community.asp
What signs and symptoms should I be looking for?
The symptoms of H1N1 Influenza 09 are similar to normal influenza:
• fever
• cough
• tiredness
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• chills
• shortness of breath
• runny nose
• headache
Some cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 have also complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, H1N1 Influenza 09 can result in a severe pneumonia. Symptoms of influenza generally appear between two to four days after exposure, but sometimes can take up to seven days to appear.
What should I do if I develop symptoms?
If you develop any of these symptoms you should call your local Public Health Unit (see below) and identify yourself as a person in home quarantine who has developed symptoms. You may be referred to a public hospital emergency department for assessment. You should wear a surgical mask and immediately identify yourself to the triage nurse as a person in home quarantine requiring medical assessment. In an emergency, call 000 and tell the paramedics that you are in home quarantine.
What about the shopping?
You should ask neighbours, family or friends to get food and any other essential supplies for you. They should leave the groceries or supplies on your doorstep and keep at least one metre away from anyone in home isolation. If you are having difficulties, contact your local Public Health Unit for advice.
What should I do to protect other people in my household?
• Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing. If there are no tissues available, cover your mouth and nose with your upper arm rather than your hands. Wash your upper arm (or sleeve) as soon as practical if you sneezed or coughed into it. Dispose of tissues into the nearest bin and wash your hands immediately afterwards.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• If possible, sleep and stay in a separate room to other members of your household.
• Keep your personal items separate and do not share them with others in the household.
• If you develop symptoms of H1N1 Influenza 09, you should then wear a surgical mask whenever you are close (within one metre) to any member of your household. Wearing a surgical mask will limit the spread of droplets produced through talking, coughing or sneezing. You should also wear a mask if attending for medical assessment.
What if I have young children in the household?
It will be challenging to teach very young children cough etiquette and hand hygiene. Instead, try to keep them away from you as much as possible. You will need to clean toys they have used with water and detergent.
Parents should explain to older children that it is important to:
• Cover their mouth and nose when they are coughing or sneezing.
• Wash their hands frequently.
What should other people in my household do to protect themselves?
Household members should:
• Cover their nose and mouth with disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of them in the waste bin.
• Wash hands regularly with soap and running water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Avoid close contact with you.
• Household contacts should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Household members will be told whether they also need to remain in isolation or quarantine. If not, they can continue with normal activities outside the home including work and school.
Do I have to report to anyone?
A health care worker will contact you each day to follow up on your progress until you are no longer in quarantine.
Where can I get other information?
If you have any questions about being in quarantine call the H1N1 Influenza 09 information hotline on 1802007. In an emergency call 000.
Alternatively, go to the NSW Health website www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/index.asp for updates.
Related Links
- How to wash your hands properly www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/pdf/hand_wash_community.pdf
- Cough etiquette www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/pdf/cough_etiquette.pdf
- How to fit and remove a surgical mask www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/resources/surgical_mask.pdf
Further Information - Public Health Units in NSW
| Metropolitan Areas | Rural Areas | ||||
| Northern Sydney / Central Coast | Hornsby | 02 9477 9400 | Greater Southern | Goulburn | 02 4824 1837 |
| Gosford | 02 4349 4845 | Albury | 02 6080 8900 | ||
| South Eastern Sydney / Illawarra | Randwick | 02 9382 8333 | Greater Western | Broken Hill | 08 8080 1499 |
| Wollongong | 02 4221 6700 | Dubbo | 02 6841 5569 | ||
| Sydney South West | Camperdown | 02 9515 9420 | Bathurst | 02 6339 5601 | |
| Liverpool | 02 9515 9420 | Hunter / New England | Newcastle | 02 4924 6477 | |
| Sydney West | Penrith | 02 4734 2022 | Tamworth | 02 6767 8630 | |
| Parramatta | 02 9840 3603 | North Coast | Port Macquarie | 02 6588 2750 | |
| Justice Health Service | Matraville | 02 9311 2707 | Lismore | 02 6620 7500 | |
| NSW Department of Health | North Sydney | 02 9391 9000 | |||
| NSW Health website | www.health.nsw.gov.au |