All you need to know about swine flu
(New
Delhi: In view of the alarming spread of swine flu from Mexico to other
regions like New Zealand, US, Hong Kong, Canada etc the Indian Govt has asked
Indians to be cautious while travelling to these places. Travellers flying into
India from Mexico, US, Canada, New Zealand and France will be individually checked
for flu. Hospitals in cosmopolitan cities are being equipped with quarantine facilities.)
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.
Is
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?
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:
Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you
use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough
or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick
people. 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 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:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish skin color Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting Being so irritable that the child does not want
to be held Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical
attention include: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Pain or pressure
in the chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness Confusion 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.
- courtesy, US CDC Info
-April
27, 2009
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