Almost two weeks ago Julianne became very ill with flu-like symptoms. But she didn’t have a fever so we thought, perhaps wrongly (apparently a fever is NOT mandatory to have H1N1), that she probably didn’t have H1N1. A couple days later she was really sick and having some trouble breathing so we headed to the hospital.
The first contact people in the ER are two clerks behind a counter, and one to two security guards who monitor incoming patients and people. Considering the hype over H1N1 I was surprised that there wasn’t a person at the door taking everyone’s temperature as they entered the area. Instead, the security guards hand out masks to incoming people . . . but didn’t seem to be giving them to 100% of the people entering the ER area. (Also, inside the ER area I only saw about 60-70% of people wearing their masks, some incorrectly, and no one seemed to be asking the people not wearing masks to put them on.)
Since the security guards act as first contact people (after the two clerks) in the entrance of the ER they had sterile masks. Some of them wore them correctly, while others wore them around their neck with the nose and mouth uncovered . . .
Considering the fact that a security guard comes into contact with EVERY PERSON entering the ER I was rather disgusted with the guards not wearing their masks. If they did have H1N1 they could be infecting patients and visitors to the ER . . .
Anyways, more on this after I continue the story . . .
Julianne gave her alien registration card, national health insurance booklet, and hospital info card to the two clerks at the desk who then waved us through to the ER doors where the security guards pass out masks. We were handed masks and then walked through to the open treatment area (open as in there are no private rooms or wall dividers between each area and everyone sees everything that is taking place while you talk to your doctor–there are curtains but they are rarely pulled around the patient).
Before seeing a doctor Julianne was seated in the hallway where a nurse with excellent English asked her some preliminary questions. But when she tried to call up Julianne’s registration file on her computer we found out that the clerk at the front desk had failed to sign Julianne into the hospital as a patient–uhm, hello patient in-take procedures? I wonder why he didn’t enter her into the system . . . the nurse looked puzzled and did what should have been done earlier.
It was around this point that another nurse walked up and asked me to sign the ‘friend/family responsibility for patient form’ that you must sign if you’re the person coming in with a patient. It says things like: take care of personal belongings, be with the patient at all times, and other things along those lines.
Anyways, Julianne was having a hard time breathing and when the nurse found this out she hooked her up to a heart rate and blood pressure monitor . . . . . . .
Click on the link below to see pictures and read more at Kimchi Icecream: The Second Serving . . . . I've moved over to wordpress.com and will be blogging there from now on.
"Hong Kong said it was closing all its nurseries and primary schools for two weeks following 12 school cases."
If they actually do this in Korea I'll fall over dead from the shock . . . . lol.
"One factor which may have prompted the move to a level six pandemic was that in the southern hemisphere, the virus seems to be crowding out normal seasonal influenza."
Flu season in Korea is going to be VERY 'interesting' this year . . .
"WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said it had been expecting something more like the deadlier bird flu.
"It was believed that the next pandemic would be something like H5N1 bird flu, where you were seeing really high death rates, and so there were people who believed we might be in a kind of apocalyptic situation and what we're really seeing now with H1N1 is that in most cases the disease is self-limiting," he told the BBC."
Uhm . . . I guess the up-side of the H1N1 virus being less lethal is that it's giving countries a chance to wake up and make some needed changes . . . if they are paying attention that is.
"Flu expert Professor John Oxford, said people should not panic as the outbreak was milder than others seen in the past century."
I wonder if Professor Oxford could come to Korea and educate the Korean media about this kind of thing . . . and also point out that it's not only foreigners who get H1N1.
Due to An English Teacher Under Quarantine in South Korea's--a.k.a. "Lando"-- mature and professional attitude he removed all pictures of himself to help his hogwan deal with the negative image problem it's been having due to the misinformation and xenophobia that are a part of the Swine Flu experience in Korea.
Choosing Lando Calrissian as his avatar--how cool is that?
I learned a lot about who "Lando" is through the writing on his blog and some email correspondence. He's a survivor and his sense of humor as a coping strategy and stress reducing strategy illuminate some of the key character traits you have to have to live and teach in Korea.
From the start of the quarantine where the medical staff screwed up by allowing the detained teachers to socialize with each other, not replacing their one day use masks every day with new ones, not reviewing with them how to wash their hands properly when taking off and putting on their masks, not reviewing information about the Swine Flu with them until days later, moving people into different rooms without decontaminating the rooms first and putting in new sheets, lack of hygiene maintenance in the washrooms (refilling paper tower dispensers for example), not decontaminating the ear thermometer as it moved from room to room, no gloves on medical staff at the beginning, not removing garbage and recycling that quickly piled up due to it being bio-hazardous waste, introducing new quarantined teachers into the population of already existing teachers thereby renewing their risk of exposure, not checking gifts and care packages coming into the facility for booze, cigarettes, and other contraband that put the quarantine back two paces for every day it moved forward . . . these things and more were overcome by the foreign teachers in quarantine--and I'm pretty sure that "Lando's" sense of humour helped the other people he was with too.
All of this bad stuff being said "Lando" reassures people that "the medical staff, they really pulled through and turned a tough situation into a great experience. I think everyone learned a lot in those first few days and once things got settled everyone was on the same team. Dr. Lee and the others were top rate, always taking time to answer our questions and make us feel at home."
I don't know if Ruby Ramblings is free and out of quarantine, but I do know that Sparkling Chaos with Brian Dear is out of quarantine and more importantly Just got out.. of a "high-security military facility" where he was treated professionally by highly competent nurses and medical staff. It's good to know that once you are officially diagnosed with Swine Flu that the facilities and staff are top notch--thanks Brian.
I'm not sure how many English teachers are still in quarantine . . . I'm going to try and find out and later post links and/or the info itself.
Roboseyo and Ratemyhogwan and BrianinJeollonamdo have been a part of the group sending in care packages to the quarantined teachers (for example, here and here) so let's not forget the people still in isolation, and if you're able to send something to them they'd really appreciate it.
It looks like the most recent organizing post for where and how to send care packages is here from Ratemyhogwan.
BrianinJeollonamdo usually has the most comprehensive updates and links about the quarantined teachers situation. See here for an example of his latest update.
Here's hoping the situation diminishes and nobody else is quarantined.
Tonight Julianne and I picked up some hand sanitizer at Emart. We are pretty good about washing our hands regularly but wanted something more portable.
Press play to begin the soundtrack . . . and then press play on the next video.
Behold . . . I give to you,
3M Hand Instant Sanitizer
At 10,000 won a bottle it's expensive but even the pharmacist recommended this over the bottle of Korean stuff she pulled out when we asked to see what they had.
The most common of these is the disposable white N95 variety. The entire unit is discarded after some extended period or a single use, depending on the contaminant. Filter masks also come in replaceable-cartridge, multiple-use models. Typically one or two cartridges attach securely to a mask which has built into it a corresponding number of valves for inhalation and one for exhalation.
"So my awesome friends and fellow quarantinees (sp?) made me an awesome crown/hat/tribal mask thingy for my 30th birthday today. It’s made of cans, masks, plastic bottles, toilet paper, and a whole lotta love!
Spending my 30th birthday In Quarantine in Korea ranks up there around about the Rings of Saturn or Heaven, as places I never thought I’d be at this time, however I’m lucky to be around such an awesome group of people!"
EVERYBODY, and I mean EVERYBODY--go and wish him a happy birthday by emailing him at aavanwey@gmail.com
I emailed some more questions to help the quarantined teachers stave off 'the boredom, the boredom' of being locked down in their rooms . . .
1) Have you developed any kind of a friendship with any of the medical staff you see regularly? How do you get along with them? What kind of personalities do they have? Do they speak to you much?
2) What is the funniest thing that has happened to you so far?
3) What is the strangest thing that has happened to you so far?
4) What kind of food would you kill for right now? Why?
5) Are there any acronyms, or H1N1 lingo/neologisms you/the group has coined during your experience so far?
6) What has been the hardest moment for you to deal with so far?
7) Have your views about diseases and viruses changed? If so, how? Why?
8) How have your friends and families back home been doing with your situation?
9) What is the first thing you want to do once you're out of quarantine? Why?
10) How have you been sleeping at night? Any dreams you'd like to share?
"They're testing some of us using throat swabs. I for onr have been given Tamiflu.. no tylenol is allowed because it "masks symptoms," according to the medical people here. I'm blogging too: web.me.com/superacidjax.. within the next hour, I'm posting a brief video tour of our holding area."
"The doctors and “Blue Vests” from the Korean Centers for Disease Control just went from room to room posting our names and our “zero-times.” Basically, if, after 7 days from the time listed on our door, we are not showing symptoms, we’ll be released from Quarantine."
Another post, Tamiflu and a View, is nuts because I can't imagine first time in Korea newbies having to deal with being quarantined as their initial introduction to Korean culture!
"The Koreans have their hands full with this quarantine, we're apparently the first type of mass quarantine they've handled so the last thing they want is to add to this group. Many of the group are first-timers to Korea, so it's pretty funny how freaked out they get over normal "Korean" stuff (doctors not communicating, etc.) It actually isn't bad at all (except that I'm sick..)" (my bold, my italics)
Brian describes how the doctors are testing him for H1N1,
"I just got my H1N1 test completed a few hours ago. A long set of swabs stuck deep in my throat . . . " read the rest of the post here.
Brian's first entry on his experience, Quarantined!, is very interesting. Here's an excerpt,
". . . I thought I might have escaped detection, but alas, yesterday afternoon, I received a call from my school director informing me that the Korean Centers for Disease Control were very interested in my whereabouts. I had about ten minutes of warning before I was collected from my hotel and shipped off to the quarantine party. The “undisclosed location” is the Seoul Human Resources headquarters. It’s a lovely spot, surrounded by mountains, about a half of mile from the main road, access restricted through two police checkpoints. Apparently, we’re kind of a big deal . . . "
From what I've read of Sparkling Chaos it looks like a blog I'll be reading more regularly from now on--thanks for leaving your comment Brian, and I look forward to reading more stories in spite of the crap situation that is producing them.
I hope you feel better soon Brian, and that you get out and return to your job without any more complications.
Did some more reading on the WHO site, and found a patient care checklist. J
"This checklist is intended for use by hospital staff treating anyone with a medically suspected or confirmed case of new influenza." (my bold, my italics)
This checklist is intended for use by hospital staff treating anyone with a medically suspected or confirmed case of new influenza
A (H1N1) per local definition. This checklist highlights areas of care critical for the management of new influenza A (H1N1).
It is not intended to replace routine care.
UPON ARRIVAL TO CLINICAL SETTING/TRIAGE Direct patient with flu-like symptoms to designated waiting area. Provide instruction and materials to patient on respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette. Put medical/surgical mask on patient if available and tolerable to patient.
UPON INITIAL ASSESSMENT Record respiratory rate over one full minute and oxygen saturation if possible. If respiratory rate is high or oxygen saturation is below 90% alert senior care staff for action. Record history, including flu-like symptoms, date of onset, travel, contact with people who have flu-like symptoms, co-morbidities.
Consider specialized diagnostic tests (e.g. RT-PCR). Use medical/surgical mask, eye protection, gloves when taking respiratory samples. Label specimen correctly and send as per local regulations with biohazard precautions. Consider alternative or additional diagnoses. Report suspected case to local authority
INITIAL AND ONGOING PATIENT MANAGEMENT Supportive therapy for new influenza A (H1N1) patient as for any influenza patient including: Give oxygen to maintain oxygen saturation above 90% or if respiratory rate is elevated (when oxygen saturation monitor not available). Give paracetamol/acetaminophen if considering an antipyretic for patients less than 18 years old Give appropriate antibiotic if evidence of secondary bacterial infection (e.g. pneumonia). Consider alternative or additional diagnoses Decide on need for antivirals* (oseltamivir or zanamivir), considering contra-indications and drug interactions
BEFORE PATIENT TRANSPORT/TRANSFER Put medical/surgical mask on patient if available and tolerable to patient.
BEFORE EVERY PATIENT CONTACT Put on medical/surgical mask. Clean hands Put on eye protection, gown and gloves if there is risk of exposure to body fluids/splashes. Change gloves (if applicable) and clean hands between patients. Clean and disinfect personal/dedicated patient equipment between patients.
IF USING AEROSOL-GENERATING PROCEDURES ALSO (e.g. intubation, bronchoscopy, CPR, suction). Allow entry of essential staff only. Put on gown. Put on particulate respirator (e.g. EU FFP2, US NIOSH-certified N95) if available. Put on eye protection, and then put on gloves. Perform planned procedure in an adequately ventilated room.
BEFORE PATIENT ENTRY TO DESIGNATED AREA (isolation room or cohort) Post restricted entry and infection control signs. Provide dedicated patient equipment if available. Ensure at least 1 metre (3.3 feet) between patients in cohort area. Ensure local protocol for frequent linen and surface cleaning in place.
BEFORE ENTERING DESIGNATED AREA (isolation room or cohort) STAFF AND VISITORS Put on medical/surgical mask. Clean hands.
BEFORE LEAVING DESIGNATED AREA (isolation room or cohort) STAFF AND VISITORS Remove any personal protective equipment (gloves, gown, mask, eye protection). Dispose of disposable items as per local protocol. Clean hands. Clean and disinfect dedicated patient equipment and personal equipment that has been in contact with patient. Dispose of viral-contaminated waste as clinical waste.
BEFORE DISCHARGE OF CONFIRMED OR SUSPECTED CASE Provide instruction and materials to patient/caregiver on respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette Provide advice on home isolation, infection control and limiting social contact. Record patient address and telephone number.
AFTER DISCHARGE Dispose of or clean and disinfect dedicated patient equipment as per local protocol. Change and launder linen without shaking. Clean surfaces as per local protocol. Dispose of viral-contaminated waste as clinical waste.
This checklist is intended for use by hospital staff treating anyone with a medically suspected or confirmed case of new influenza.
A (H1N1) per local definition. This checklist highlights areas of care critical for the management of new influenza A (H1N1).
It is not intended to replace routine care.
See WHO website (www.who.int) for latest version.
* See instruction page for additional information on terms used. Equipment on this checklist is recommended if available.
This checklist is not intended to be comprehensive.
Additions and modifications to fit local practice are encouraged.
ABOUT THIS CHECKLIST The WHO Patient Care Checklist: new influenza A (H1N1) is intended for use by hospital staff treating a patient with a medically suspected or confirmed case of new influenza A (H1N1). This checklist combines two aspects of care: i) clinical management of the individual patient and ii) infection control measures to limit the spread of new influenza A (H1N1).
WHO Patient Safety Checklists are practical and easy-to-use tools that highlight critical actions to be taken at vulnerable moments of care. They are produced in a format that can be referred to readily and repeatedly by staff to help ensure that all essential actions are performed. WHO Patient Safety Checklists are not comprehensive protocols and are not intended to replace routine care.
How to use the checklist Staff can use checklists at the moment of care to ensure that no critical items are missed, or immediately following delivery of care to confirm that all essential steps were carried out.
“Ticking the box” is not essential for checklist use and may not be practical or desirable for some sections (e.g. ‘Before every patient contact’). The means of displaying and using the checklist can be determined by individual facilities. The checklist may form part of the patient’s clinical record. It may also be reproduced as wall posters, or on cards for staff members to carry with them. Facilities may wish to extract specific parts of the checklist for use in each of these formats.
This checklist does not replace clinical guidance or clinical judgment. Its users should also familiarize themselves with the relevant WHO guidance documents referenced below, which were used in the development of the checklist.
Local modification The WHO Patient Care Checklist: new influenza A (H1N1) may be reformatted, reordered or revised to accommodate local practice while ensuring completion of the critical steps in an efficient manner. Facilities and individuals are cautioned, however, against making the checklist unmanageably complex.
Related guidance Guidance relating to infection control: Infection prevention and control in health care in providing care for confirmed or suspected A (H1N1) swine influenza patients Interim guidance (Publication date: 29 April 2009) http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/infection_control/en/index.html Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory diseases in health care.
WHO InterimGuidelines (Publication date: June 2007) http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/WHO_CD_EPR_2007_6/en/ Guidance relating to clinical management: Clinical management of human infection with avian influenza A (H1N1) virus (Publication planned) see http://www.who.int/ *Currently there are a lack of data on the clinical effectiveness of antivirals for this disease. Antiviral drugs are to be used according to national pandemic influenza preparedness plans. If antivirals are prescribed, oseltamivir or zanamivir should be used for influenza A (H1N1) patients because of increased risk of the resistance with other antivirals. Where antiviral drugs are available for treatment, clinicians should make decisions based on assessment of the individual patient’s risk.
Risks versus benefits should also be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Such guidance may be updated as the situation evolves. For the most up-to-date guidance on the checklist and other documents, refer to the WHO web site (www.who.int)
GLOSSARY OF SELECTED CHECKLIST TERMS Clean hands: Hands can be cleaned either by handwashing with soap and water or by handrubbing with an alcohol-based handrub formulation. The preferred technique while caring for suspected or confirmed cases of new influenza A (H1N1) is handrubbing, unless hands are visibly soiled. Hands must be cleaned at five key moments: 1) before touching a patient; 2) before clean/aseptic procedure; 3) after body fluid exposure risk; 4) after touching a patient; and 5) after touching patient surroundings.
Designated area (isolation room / cohort): The placing of patients either colonized or infected with the same pathogen in one designated area. It is specifically used when single or isolation rooms are not available. It allows for identified health-care workers to provide care to these specific patients with the aim of trying to prevent spread of infection to others. Patients with confirmed infection should ideally be in a separate cohort to those with suspected infection. Cough etiquette: Health-care workers, patients and family members should cover mouth and nose (e.g. with a tissue) when coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is used, discard it in a bin with a lid and then clean hands. Cough etiquette should be communicated to patients through posters and leaflets.
Separate waiting area: Waiting area for symptomatic persons should be separate from general waiting area. This can be a separate part of the general waiting area as long as there is at least one metre (3.3 feet) distance between the designated area and the regular waiting area. Maintain at least one metre between symptomatic patients within this designated area.
Eye protection: This can either be an eye visor, goggles, or a face shield. Conventional eye glasses are not designed to protect against splashes to eye mucosa and should not be used as eye protection.
Flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
Gown: A clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown.
Infection control guidance to patient/caregiver on discharge: If patient still symptomatic or if patient less than one year old (Patients less than one year old may continue to be infectious for three weeks after cessation of symptoms): • Patient quarantined: the sick person should be placed in a separate room and should have limited social contact. • Instruction on cough etiquette. • All persons in the household should perform hand hygiene frequently and after every contact with the sick person. • The caregiver should wear the best available protection to prevent exposure to respiratory secretions, and avoid contact with body fluids or contaminated items; minimize close (less than 1 metre) and face-to-face contact with the patient; perform hand hygiene when indicated. Medical/surgical masks: procedure or surgical masks to protect the wearer’s nose and mouth from inadvertent exposures (e.g. splashes).
Particulate respirator: A special type of fit-tested mask with the capacity to filter particles to protect against inhaling infectious aerosols (e.g. EU FFP2 and US NIOSH-certified N95). Respiratory hygiene: See cough etiquette
CHECKLISTDEVELOPMENT PROCESS RESPIRATORY RATE (reference for high values): AGE RESPIRATORY RATE <2 months ≥60/minute 2–11 months ≥50/minute 1–5 years ≥40/minute >5–12 years ≥30/minute ≥13 years ≥20/minute
In response to the pandemic threat by a new influenza A (H1N1) strain, the checklist development process began on 30 April 2009. The checklist development group in the WHO Patient Safety Programme collaborated with technical experts in WHO Health Security and Environment. They consulted experts in three areas: i) infection control, ii) clinical management of pandemic-prone Influenza, and iii) health care checklists.
The design and content of the checklist were developed iteratively through successive rounds of consultation. Clinical teams in a number of settings tested its clarity and usability. Its use in clinical practice will be the subject of ongoing evaluation.
I've been emailing back and forth a bit with one of the American English teachers in quarantine. I just sent them some info I found on the WHO website about H1N1.
I get the impression that there have been no instructions given by the medical staff in the quarantine center about proper use of the N95 masks that the teachers have been told, "wear the mask 24/7" . . . that's all they're hearing.
But here's the problem,
Using a mask incorrectly however, may actually increase the risk of transmission, rather than reduce it. If masks are to be used, this measure should be combined with other general measures to help prevent the human-to-human transmission of influenza,training on the correct use of masks and consideration of cultural and personal values.
If the medical staff are not giving the detained teachers the correct information about how to use their masks, and reviewing the specific hand washing procedure the WHO says is critical to make mask use effective . . . do they themselves even know about the procedures?
The following info (below) is from the WHO website. Misinformation is going to be one of the other major problems foreign teachers are going to face as this virus increases its presence in Korea.
The information below is from the WHO website. There's a lot of info on the H1N1 related pages, so I've put some of the more relevant info here (take this with a grain of salt as I am NOT a doctor) in order to save people time if they're too busy to read through all the stuff at the site itself.
I'm hoping we all hear some positive news from the quarantined teachers soon. They've been told they're not allowed to smoke, and are supposed to stay indoors at all times . . . needless to say the smokers are not having a good time, and . . . the indoor thing has been . . . 'taken under advisement,' lol.
Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005)
About the disease
1 May 2009
How do people become infected with influenza A(H1N1)?
Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed. To prevent spread, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly.
What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.
Regarding study of the first outbreak, have you received any feedback from the WHO team sent to Mexico to investigate the outbreak?
Teams are already sending epidemiological evidence but we will know more over the next few days.
Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?
No.
Is there any information on the economic impact of the outbreak so far?
No.
Why are we so worried about this pandemic possibility when thousands die every year from seasonal epidemics?
Seasonal epidemics occur every year and we are able to treat the virus with seasonal vaccines. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic. It is a new virus and one to which the populations will have no immunity.
What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?
The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:
avoid touching your mouth and nose;
clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?
If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask.
If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.
If you are sick and must travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose.
Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.
How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?
You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A(H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can confirm a case of influenza A(H1N1).
What should I do if I think I have the illness?
If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:
stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
rest and take plenty of fluids;
cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;
use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;
inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;
If possible, contact a health professional before traveling to a health facility to discuss whether a medical examination is necessary.
What should I do if I need medical attention?
If possible, contact your health care provider before traveling to a health facility, and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have influenza A (H1N1) (e.g. if you have recently traveled to a country where there is an outbreak in people). Follow the advice given to you.
If you cannot contact your health care provider before traveling to a health facility, tell a health care worker of your suspicion of infection immediately after arrival at the clinic or hospital.
Cover your nose and mouth during travel.
Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK?
No. Whether you have influenza A(H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others.
Can I travel?
If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.
My name is Jason and I am a 34-year-old Canadian English instructor. I have been living and teaching in South Korea since March, 2005. This blog is about how I see life in Korea, and Korean culture. I will post pictures and video as often as possible. I will also write about Korean novels and movies.
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-
I have been living in Asia since 2008, and in that time I have travelled
around most of the countries in East, Southeast, and Southern Asia.
However, unt...
The End + 1
-
Well hey. So what's new?
I turned 50 recently. Here's a half-century update.
I gave up on China.
And I gave up on international schools, also.
I was ...
Ruby Rambles in Nepal
-
In 2007, I lived in Bhaktapur, Nepal just south of Kathmandu. I was
learning, teaching, almost getting married, and transforming myself yet
again. I wrote...
Hiking the John Muir Trail
-
*Note: This post is set up largely for my own planning. Expect updates, but
feel free to leave comments in the meantime. *
As a native-born Californian who...
The Fastest WordPress Theme
-
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc imperdiet
rhoncus arcu non aliquet. Sed tempor mauris a purus porttitor, ac convallis
arcu ve...
Essential Tips for a Korea Trip in August
-
Are you planning a trip in Korea during August and want to gather
information about things to do in South Korea? We have great news for you!
Korea has many...
The Best DJ Software: Programs To Consider
-
Producing Music Are you planning to make your own music? If you are, then
you should know about the music basics. There are many things that you
should kno...
Finally, Enchantments in Fall
-
It's been several years coming, but I finally made it to the Enchantments
during larch season. The Enchantments are a spectacular area in the Alpine
Lakes ...
Zandari Festa 2017 – Five Questions with PAKK
-
The sixth annual Zandari Festa is taking place in Hongdae from September
29 – October 1 with 120 international and domestic acts. To spotlight some
of the ...
Save pdf smaller size mac online
-
High image quality, bring your ideas to life save pdf smaller size mac
online beautiful presentations. and instantly got the shrunken file!
Although the de...
Liquidation vs. Penalty Damages in Korea
-
[image: Korea Liquidated Damages, Korea Penalty Damages, in Korea]
Liquidated Damages v. Penalty Damages in Korea
*Liquidated Damages vs. Penalty Damages in...
So, I'm in charge of
-
So, I'm in charge of lawn mowing now. And with that, the responsibility of
choosing a lawn mower that will be easy (for me, a lawn mowing novice)to
use. I ...
Hoengsong and Sokcho. Camp and Pokemon
-
I haven't taught at every GLPS camp at Minjok Sagwan High School in Gangwon
Province, near Wonju, but I have been to many and greatly enjoy them. I
probabl...
Broke my phone
-
Walking home from an off campus business presentation seminar I prepared
for the past few weeks, my phone slipped out of my hand, dropped two
stories, and ...
Happy Easter!
-
Yes, just like that bloke 2000 years ago, my blog has risen again on Easter
Sunday. Now that blogging is completely unfashionable, antiquated and of no
i...
Furniture By Mac & Wood: Reclaimed Wood & Steel
-
It is not often that I come across truly gorgeous and eye-catching
furniture pieces. But when I do, rest assured I will let you know as I will
do today. I ...
Foreign Teachers Returning to their Home Countries
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*This Blog Has Moved*
Hey there everyone. In case you haven't updated your readers, this blog has
moved to a new, much better site. It's still Jackie, talk...
Lost in Translation
-
Three Things. 1. Loaded translations. Too much tipping the translations to
say what these videomakers want these women to say. And they sound like
they wer...
Is Blogging Dead?
-
This blog is not dead, it's just resting. (to coin a phrase from a certain
well known British comedy show).
I still maintain the Japan Blog List but the num...
Save Annie - help a sweet pit bull stay alive
-
I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner! Okay, I do, I almost never
write posts on this blog anymore.
The story: my boyfriend and I recently moved ...
The tastier side of Hamilton
-
I love food. Give me a dish from any culture and I will try it at least
once. It's very rare I find a dish that I dislike in its entirety. Given
the oppo...
Missing Foreigner Joy? Try American Joy
-
American Joy has been my new blog of my life back in America. Although I'm
busy being a grad student I try to keep up with it and give insights into
my...
Death by Optimism
-
I am so positive it's killing me. No, really. I believe that I will always
have more time, perform more perfectly, make changes more easily, and
basically ...
On Roboseyo’s Survey
-
Wow…it’s been a long time since I’ve posted. We are very welll and looking
forward to taking a trip back to North America for the summer break. As to
my la...
let it rain
-
i hate rain. rain is like the annoying little cousin of snow that wrecks
havoc and creates gloom and doom. unlike snow, who is soft and mature and
underst...
After giving it some thought.......
-
As you can see, it has been quite a while since I posted anything.
The longer I went without posting, the easier it became to go without
posting, if that m...
I'm Alive!
-
One thing I haven't been doing is writing. It's a pity. But I've been
thinking about it. Maybe it's like a muscle and I need to give it a
stretch. I was th...
New Blog…
-
I have permanently moved my efforts over to a new blog with a slightly
different aim. Still in the works, but follow if you wish!
http://redbelliedmustard...
Red Chapel Ironies
-
I recently got around to watching the Red Chapel, the unusual guerrilla
documentary by the Danish journalist Mads Brügger.1 The basic premise is a
visit t...
Valentine's Day Heart Collage Craft
-
Use fabric squares and other scraps to create this beautiul collage heart
craft for Valentine's Day. Follow the link for more details.
Fun at Chuirch
Mostly Harmless
-
When I was tentatively asked to move from working part-time to full-time at Busan
International Foreign School back in February – a job I finally began last...
Typhoon Bolaven
-
Kind of stressing about this typhoon. Supposed to be feeling the effects
from this evening until tomorrow evening.
This is from about 12 hours ago. It has...
Summer vaca
-
Steve's daughter Shelley got married this month. Steve and I traveled to
Pocatello, Idaho for her wedding. Afterwards we went camping around McCall,
Idaho....
Moving West
-
It's been so long since I wrote regularly here, I even had trouble signing
in an figuring out how to make a post! Sad! But I've been thinking about
coming ...
Please visit CrazyKoreanCooking.com
-
We are moving all our content to:
*crazykoreancooking.com*
Please visit and register to follow us.
Thank you for watching!
The Itch.
-
The Itch, The Bug... whatever you wanna call it, I got it. I've gotten a
taste and I def need more. Travel, that is.
So after re-reading my last post, whic...
Where Are You on the Korean Wage Scale?
-
The BBC has this interesting feature up on their website that shows the
average wage in many countries around the world. I was actually surprised
at how hi...
-
I made it back to Moran Market in Seongnam a few weeks ago (other parts,
1,2,). I had a student recently tell me that the market is slated to be
relocated ...
Goodbye WordPress
-
Update your links/bookmarks because I’ve moved. http://www.seoulfoodyo.com
Every single post I’ve made has been moved to the new site. I tried to
keep the...
Post #100: Goodbye Coco Busan, Hello Free Bird
-
Coco Busan started as a little idea in my mind 2.5 years ago in Edmonton,
Alberta, when I decided to leave Canada on my own and venture to Korea.
Once I pu...
This was this one time...
-
Oh China...blogging used to be so fun and easy. But now...not so much.
Thanks, Great Firewall! And also my own laziness! It also doesn't help much
that I'v...
Our year in pictures
-
I can't believe that it has been nine months since we left Korea and we
both still miss the people, food, and lifestyle. It really was one of the
best year...
Happy New Year!
-
It has definitely been a while since I last updated. Not a lot has
happened. Some good things and not so good things have happened since last
time. But ...
Farewell, Korea
-
Dear Korea,
We met two years + three months ago, and my what an adventure we've had!
You've changed a lot, and I have, too.
As I prepare to depart from y...
Old photos of Jeollanam-do and Gwangju.
-
[image: 1941 Jeollanamdo Provincial Office]
*Taken in front of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Office, 1941.*
[image: Sajik Park]
*Sajik Park observatory in the...
A Jeju-ful Weekend (2) - Sangumburi Crater
-
When you're a city bumpkin like me, being surrounded by nature and nature
only is something to relish. The fact that you can breathe in air that
smells of ...
I’ve Moved!
-
Hey folks: this post is so far overdue that it’s beyond ridiculous. I
started my new site almost EIGHT months ago, but never mentioned the change
here. Ter...
Back in the US of A
-
Actually, I’ve been back since May but I haven’t had the time to update my
blog. I’m glad it can still serve as a resource and source of entertainment
even...
campfires and memories
-
fire is a life force. it creates and destroys. a campfire creates not only
warmth but an atmosphere, a circle for campers to gather around to tell
stories....
One night in Bangkok
-
After Vietnam, we flew to Thailand, spent a day in bangkok and quickly
moved north to Chiang Mai where we participated in the Thai New Year, rode
elephant...
i HATE saying goodbye~~
-
those of you who know me already know how terrible i am at saying goodbye.
i loathe the concept so much that i usually just avoid the entire process.
sayin...
Grocery Shopping in Seoul
-
One of things I enjoy doing when visiting a foreign country is wandering
around a local grocery store. For one thing, you can find better deals on
local fa...
My Expert Knowledge on Eating in Nokdu next to SNU
-
Here’s all of my favorite places to eat in the Nokdu area next to SNU
(Seoul National University): http://goo.gl/maps/DYSy This took a little
longer than I...
Unemployment and Dominating the World
-
So we’ve been home since April 24th and needless to say I wasn’t prepared.
During the months leading up to our return to the US, friends and family
keep as...
Feeling the Love
-
I wrote some "Stories of Absurdity" a few posts ago and recently noticed
wow, people are actually reading what I write. It makes me feel all warm
and fuzzy...
Know Your Spirits: Sambul Jeseok (三佛帝釋)
-
Whether it's from red neon crosses lighting up the night sky or the sound
of monks rapping on *moktok* it is not unusual to encounter evidence of the
inf...
I'm Her Little Man
-
I've always been more of a "toast and jam" kind of girl, but over winter
break in California I discovered the pleasures of bread and butter. For
Christmas,...
Christmas in Thailand!
-
I know I haven't posted in forever, but I have to write about Thailand!
We left Friday after work for the airport. It was so cold, I couldn't feel
my toes. ...
Welcome to Expacked (Issue #100)
-
Welcome to the final issue of Expacked. When we first started talking
about making a newsletter for native English teachers in Korea, we never
dreamt that...
Merry Christmas
-
At first glance, your average KM heading out to freshen up her perm, or
making a Costco run for that last minute economy pack of socks, or giving
stank eye...
The South Korea Survival Guide
-
"Sara, do you have indoor plumbing in South Korea?” “Isn’t it really hot
out there all the time?” It’s amazing what some people still don’t seem to
unders...
Open Class
-
This past week was insanely busy. We had Open Class, video taping,
International Food Day, birthday parties, New Teacher training, and several
more smaller...
Farewell Korea!
-
Our year in Korea as a foreign teacher is now over. Korea has been really
good to us. It was the first time for both of us to be away from home for
more th...
Driving in Korea
-
I never gave much credence to the stereotype that Asians are bad drivers,
but after 2 years in Korea I've changed my mind. Koreans are the WORST
drivers. T...
Cooking class
-
We used 3 weeks to learn cooking Korean food
- Bibim noodle
- Cucumber kimchi
- Kimbab
- Nalchi-ar-bibimbap
Most of the time we had too many students and...
See what I see #2
-
Every day I climb on the back of a little guy’s motorbike and he drives me
to school, for the princely sum of $1. Here are some shots from my journey
on F...
Dr.Fish and Korea Fighting!
-
Since first hearing of the "Dr.Fish" phenomenon a few years ago, the idea
has been locked in the ever-present,
weirdly-grotesque-but-insanely-interesting ...
The Music Industry Is Indeed Doomed
-
As Thom Yorke said in a recent interview for a British civics textbook (how
great would that textbook be, by the way? I don’t remember reading any
intervi...
The Sunset Post
-
Jumping the Asymptote has been running almost 17 months now. I no longer
live in Korea. I spent about six months after that in China, and have since
then f...
a breath of fresh air
-
A breif thundershower this afternoon helped clear up the air a little. I
like the freshness of the air in Seoul after it rains. I try to breathe as
much i...
The Master
-
During a break from pinning dyed fabric in 2001, I snapped this moseup of
the Master against an Autumn sky. You can tell from his face that he loves
me rig...
Phili-Phili-Philippines!!!
-
Alright so I am well aware that I havent posted anything on here in
months…. I blame it on winter hibernation… Since I thawed out in the
Philippines and it...
Sea Mustard ChoMuChim
-
This is a simple and cool Korean seaweed side dish. When my husband and I
visited Korea last February, he had the chance to try this side dish in a
restaur...
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