What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs
caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in
pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can
and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from
person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and
not sustained beyond three people.
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with
swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern
California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have
reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been
reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed
swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to
investigate this situation.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is
contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this
time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms
of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body
aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported
diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe
illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been
reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu,
swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical
conditions.
How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be
happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are
spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of
people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their
mouth or nose.
How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day
before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming
sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone
else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good
general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage
your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try
not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the
treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza
viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid
or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses
from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can
make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may
also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral
drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of
symptoms).
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered
potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible
for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially
younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer
periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of
contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is
contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or
mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move
through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches
respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk
and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their
hands.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer
on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent
handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination
from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine
flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of
germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these
everyday steps to protect your health:
ˇ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
ˇ Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
ˇ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
ˇ Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
ˇ If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay
home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from
infecting them.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus
through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as
possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and
nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those
around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste
basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue.
Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus
through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as
possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and
nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those
around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste
basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue.
Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid
getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash
with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we
recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water
-- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not
available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may
be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If
using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need
water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been
identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including
fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or
diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider,
particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health
care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment
is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with
other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness
to others.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning
signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical
attention include:
ˇ Fast breathing or trouble breathing
ˇ Bluish skin color
ˇ Not drinking enough fluids
ˇ Not waking up or not interacting
ˇ Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
ˇ Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse
cough
ˇ Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical
attention include:
ˇ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
ˇ Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
ˇ Sudden dizziness
ˇ Confusion
ˇ Severe or persistent vomiting
How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from
mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of
swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring.
However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a
previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was
hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and
died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey
occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious
illness in several people and one death.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot
get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating
properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
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