Types of contact with human swine influenza patients
1. Close contact
Close contact is defined as having cared for or lived with a person who is a confirmed or probable case of human swine influenza, or having been in a setting where there was a high likelihood of contact with respiratory droplets and/or body fluids of such a person. Examples of close contact include kissing or embracing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, physical examination, or any other contact between persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory droplets.
2. Social contact
Social contact is any person who has come into contact with a case but not meeting the definition of close contact.
FAQ
1. How different is the management of close contacts from that of social contacts? Why?
Close contacts have A higher risk of acquiring the infection. Hence, close contacts may, during the early phase of the Infectious Phase, be prescribed with the following interventions, with the overall goal of early detection and treatment of infection:
• Medical surveillance for 7 days
• During medical surveillance, need to wear masks and ensure good personal and environmental hygiene
• Use of antiviral drugs, if considered appropriate
In case of further large-scale outbreak, Tamiflu or Relenza would be reserved for high risk or serious patients.
Especially during the latter phase of the Infectious Phase, it will not be necessary for close contacts to use antiviral drugs or require medical surveillance.
On the other hand, persons who are considered social contacts have a much lower risk of contracting the disease. As H1N1 (swine) flu continues to spread in the community, the risk of social contacts getting infected becomes almost the same as that of the general public. Hence, it will not be necessary to trace social contacts. They should always ensure good personal and environmental hygiene in order to prevent infection.
For close contacts
2. Do close contacts need to take any precautions?
Apart from the precautions to be taken by the general public, close contacts will be put under medical surveillance and given antiviral drugs subject to the risk assessment conducted by a primary care provider or clinic. If symptoms of human swine influenza such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or diarrhea occur, you should wear a mask and seek medical attention right away.
3. Do close contacts require home isolation with the patients?
As local transmission becomes sustained and significant, some patients may be advised to stay home for rest. Close contacts do not usually require home isolation.
4. Should a close contact wear a mask at all times?
Close contacts should put on a mask during the medical surveillance period. In particular, carers of patients should wear masks to prevent acquiring the disease.
For social contacts
5. Do social contacts need to take any precautions?
As human swine flu continues to spread in the community, the risk of infection among social contacts is almost the same as that of the general public if they have not been in close contact with a patient. Social contacts, like all members of the public, should always ensure good personal and environmental hygiene in order to prevent infection.
6. Do social contacts need to take antiviral drugs?
Generally speaking, persons who did not have close contact with a patient have a lower risk of infection, and antiviral drugs are not required. Especially during the latter part of the infectious phase, it will not be necessary for close and social contacts to use antiviral drugs.
7. Should a social contact wear a mask at all times?
Face mask provides a physical barrier to fluids and particulate materials. General public must observe the proper ways of using a mask. Social contacts, like all other members of the public, should put on a mask in the following situations:
- When respiratory symptoms e.g. fever, runny nose, cough or sneeze occur
- When visiting clinics or hospitals
- When caring for patients
- When visiting crowded and poorly-ventilated places (although these settings should be avoided especially when community spread of swine flu is confirmed)
- When visiting areas affected by swine flu, especially when visiting crowded and poorly ventilated places
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