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Published on: 27th February 2025
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Alina Gabdulbarova
What’s so special about this time of the year? A subtle warning: After the reveal, it may not remain so special. Then what’s so specific about this season – the period from December to February? Is it Xmas time? Or is it the new year’s? Unfortunately, along with the festive celebrations, family get-togethers and parties, tourism uptrend, and seasonal changes, comes the H1N1 and Flu peak time in Dubai. While the healthcare units and the doctors are caught up in issuing self-care measures and guidelines to prevent seasonal Flu, media, and news reports tend to inform of Influenza updates and any surge in cases. In the meanwhile, individuals actively search online for Influenza trends in town and the Flu vaccination at home availability and eligibility.
Let’s understand in detail about the H1N1 virus strain, one of the most common causes of seasonal Flu. To keep yourself and your family members at a safe distance from the Influenza infection this season, it’s important to know its causes, how to diagnose Influenza symptoms illness, how to care for it at home while someone’s fighting the H1N1 virus, what are H1N1 symptoms, how to prevent the H1N1 Flu, how to avail treatment for Influenza, how to get Flu vaccination at home and when to reach out to an expert for medical assistance.
Influenza Virus: An Overview
Influenza infection gets its name from the virus that causes it i.e. the Influenza virus. Commonly referred to as Flu, Influenza is a contagious illness affecting your respiratory system. Sore throat, extreme fatigue, chills, fever, headache, body pain, runny or stuffy nose, and cough are some self-diagnosable symptoms of Influenza. Influenza virus symptoms can be quite often confused with those of the Stomach Flu, Covid-19, and Common Cold. Influenza symptoms in humans can be of three types – Influenza A, Influenza B, and Influenza C. Influenza D affects only cattle. H1N1 is a subtype of Influenza Type A virus.
Influenza H1N1 Virus: Evolution Over Time
The H1N1 pandemic of 2009 caused widespread havoc infecting many worldwide. Because of its similarity and resemblance to a respiratory infection which can be found in pigs, H1N1 is also often termed as Swine Flu. Symptoms of Swine Flu aren’t very different from those of normal Flu. H1N1 is also highly infectious and the virus can transmit from one individual to another through contaminated droplets when they sneeze or cough or when one touches an infected surface and then touches their mouth, eyes, and nose. In some cases, Swine Flu may need hospitalization and can also be fatal. In the 2009 Swine Flu outbreak, about 150,000 people are stated to have lost their lives to the H1N1 new virus strain across the globe. On the other hand, according to a report, in the 1918 pandemic, another strain of the H1N1 virus (termed as the Spanish Flu) claimed the lives of over 50 million people globally out of the 500 million who were infected.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of Swine Flu in 2010, it is still considered to be a seasonal Flu virus. This means you can get H1N1 even now and you may spread it further like other infectious diseases. Hence, it’s always better to see a doctor who may further ask you to run a rapid Flu test to confirm the type of Influenza virus symptoms you may be affected with.
Thanks to the awareness among people and practitioners about Swine Flu today, and the research and studies put together from the outbreaks that have happened earlier, Influenza H1N1 virus is now looked upon as a controlled disease at the moment, with many people who are proactively taking the annual Flu shot year after year diligently to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from the strains of H1N1 virus, preventing the influenza symptoms in the first place.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of Swine Flu in 2010, it is still considered to be a seasonal Flu virus. This means you can get H1N1 even now and you may spread it further like other infectious diseases. Hence, it’s always better to see a doctor who may further ask you to run a rapid Flu test to confirm the type of Influenza virus symptoms you may be affected with.
Thanks to the awareness among people and practitioners about Swine Flu today, and the research and studies put together from the outbreaks that have happened earlier, Influenza H1N1 virus is now looked upon as a controlled disease at the moment, with many people who are proactively taking the annual Flu shot year after year diligently to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from the strains of H1N1 virus, preventing the influenza symptoms in the first place.
Usually, in healthy people, symptoms of the H1N1 virus aren’t too serious and may not even lead to complications. Healthy people who are affected by the Swine Flu virus mostly recover on their own without any specific treatment or drugs. All they need to do is eat healthily, exercise well, take ample rest, have lots of fluids, and get over-the-counter medications for symptoms like cold, cough, fever, and antiviral drugs as prescribed by the treating doctor. It’s advised to never give aspirin or any medication containing aspirin to children (<18 years of age) as it can increase the chances of Reye's syndrome in them.
However, in some people, the Swine Flu virus strain can lead to dangerous severities of health like bronchitis and pneumonia. It can worsen their diabetes, aggravate asthma, and result in breathing issues, and other life-threatening problems. Infants and children under 5 years, older people above 65 years of age, individuals with weakened immune systems and those with underlying chronic health conditions, nurses and healthcare practitioners in long-term care facilities, and pregnant women – just like in regular Flu – are those falling under the high-risk category in Swine Flu.
One day before symptoms of H1N1 start to develop till 7-8 days after they develop, adults can potentially spread the virus to others. Children can spread the infection even up to 10 days after developing Influenza symptoms.
However, in some people, the Swine Flu virus strain can lead to dangerous severities of health like bronchitis and pneumonia. It can worsen their diabetes, aggravate asthma, and result in breathing issues, and other life-threatening problems. Infants and children under 5 years, older people above 65 years of age, individuals with weakened immune systems and those with underlying chronic health conditions, nurses and healthcare practitioners in long-term care facilities, and pregnant women – just like in regular Flu – are those falling under the high-risk category in Swine Flu.
One day before symptoms of H1N1 start to develop till 7-8 days after they develop, adults can potentially spread the virus to others. Children can spread the infection even up to 10 days after developing Influenza symptoms.
How To Prevent Influenza And H1N1 Infection?
If it’s that time of the year when the cases of seasonal Influenza are generally on the rise, you can take some precautionary steps in order to be fit and healthy.
- Wash your hands thoroughly from time to time using water and soap
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after touching surfaces that can be contaminated like table tops, door handles, etc.
- Cover your mouth while sneezing or coughing
- Self-isolate if you feel like you have developed any influenza symptoms
- Ensure that your kids stay indoors after they start to feel sick in order to avoid spreading the infection to other kids during play or study at school/tuition as children often share their belongings
- Use a mask when you are in crowded places
- Reach out to a doctor if you experience influenza symptoms for a prolonged period or if you develop shortness of breath, confusion, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, pain in the chest/stomach etc.
- Avoid close or direct contact with people who are sick
- Urge your family members to get the Flu vaccine without fail
- Keep your surroundings clean and disinfected always
- Do not share your items like toothbrushes, towels, or books with the infected person
For more such useful information about H1N1 epidemics, news about new strains of several viruses, general health tips to prevent infections and illnesses, different home healthcare services, and doctor on home visit consultation in Dubai, head right away to First Response Healthcare’s blog page. Stay safe from infodemics. Stay protected from pandemics. Call or WhatsApp us on 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC today to get all your health queries answered. For tailored medical consultation and expert guidance, you can even book an appointment now.
Disclaimer: This content piece is no substitute for direct medical advice. The purpose and intent of this blog is just to impart knowledge, share general tips, and spread awareness about health. It is not a replacement for any medical consultation provided by professionals. First Response Healthcare strictly recommends reaching out to qualified healthcare providers and medical experts for personalized advice and further information.
