Dr. Lana discusses the spread of H1N1

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Many of us still have questions concerning the H1N1 virus and the vaccine.

News 4 recently sat down with Dr. Steven Lana, a practicing partner with Delaware Pediatrics and the newly appointed Medical Director of the Buffalo Public Schools.

All this week, he will be answering questions and clearing up any myths.

Tuesday morning he's talking about how the virus is spread.

QUES: H1N1 can be transmitted when it's airborn and inhaled, and through respiratory droplets. So how is the virus transferred if the person comes in contact with the respiratory droplet?

Answer: Virus enters system through nose, mouth, eyes. They then put their hands to nose, mouth, eyes and the virus enters their system.

QUES: Can H1N1 be transferred through inanimate objects like books, pencils, keypads, door knobs, etc?

Answer: Potentially yes. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets so if sneeze or cough and droplets land on surface top, door knob or key pads, until those droplets dry out completely, the virus within them is still active and that may be up to 24 hours. But it's more likely on the order of several hours.

QUES: What is the best way to protect against spreading the virus?

Protective measures:
-cough/sneeze into your sleeve
-wash hands frequently
-don't touch eyes, nose, mouth
-don't share eating utensils/cups

QUES: How long is someone with H1N1 contagious?

Answer: Contagious 24 hours before fever and 24 hours after fever.

So they may be able to transmit virus about 24 hours prior to overly sick with fever and up until time they're without fever for 24 hours off anti-fever medicine.

QUES: How do you protect other members of your family from members who contracted H1N1?

Answer: 20% chance of transmitting H1N1 within family. Safe distance to prevent transmission: 6 feet from 1 person to another. Studies show that secondary attack rate within families where have there is one known person with H1N1 or seasonal flu is 20%.

The safe distance and arbitrary number is 6 feet. So chances are, if you can maintain distance of 6 feet from 1 person to another, even if that person is infected, it's unlikely they are going to transmit it to you.

Wednesday morning on WakeUp, Dr. Lana will talk about the vaccine, the testing process and it's safety and effectiveness.