Influenza is an infectious disease that is caused by a rapidly spreading virus. There are several types of viruses known to cause influenza, but in this article we will primarily focus on influenza virus type A, subtype H1N1.

Do you know which types of viruses cause flu?

Influenza disease is caused by three types of viruses: A, B and C. While influenza B and C viruses cause infections only in humans, type A viruses have also been isolated in various types of animals. In this article, we will discuss influenza A virus and its subtype H1N1, which can cause seasonal influenza.

The H1N1 virus is a combination of viruses from pigs, birds and humans. In 2009 and 2010, it caused a respiratory tract infection in humans that was referred to as swine flu. It was a flu season that made many people sick around the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) even declared in 2009 as a pandemic. After the pandemic ended in 2010, the H1N1 influenza virus became one of the strains that cause seasonal influenza.

Symptoms of influenza

Symptoms of influenza caused by the H1N1 virus usually appear one to three days after contact with the virus. They are similar to the symptoms of infections that are caused by other strains of influenza:

• cough,
• chills,
• fever,
• sore throat,
• stuffy nose,
• body aches,
• headaches,
• fatigue,
• nausea.

How to protect yourself from the flu?

These precautions will help you prevent flu and limit its spread:

• Thorough and regular hand washing,
• coughing and sneezing into a handkerchief,
• regular cleaning of surfaces,
• avoiding contact with the sick,
• use of protective equipment and clothing.

What protection do Prolen® Medical products provide?

Prolen® Medical clothing and protective equipment is made of Prolen® Siltex and Prolen® Bodyfresh fibres, which are treated with a permanent antimicrobial treatment based on silver and zinc ions.They are certified for antiviral properties and reduction of influenza A virus, subtype H1N1.

Thanks to these properties of the fabrics, therisk of flu contamination is reduced when wearing Prolen® Medical clothing and protective equipment, which is particularly important in healthcare facilities. In addition to protection against influenza, Prolen® Medical gowns, devices and medical clothing also provide protection against infections caused by bacteria.