WHAT IS SWINE FLU ?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses (H1N1 subtype)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.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
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.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the
symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include:
- Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
- Chills
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue
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.
MINIMIZING THE RISK OF AN EPIDEMIC
- Culling – killing large numbers of infected and potentially
infected animals
- Quarantine – putting infected farms in quarantine
- Vaccinating birds against the virus – remains controversial and
contentious. Indonesia launched poultry vaccination in July
2004 and Thailand is considering the same measure
- Latest normal flu vaccine – for people involved in culling
operations to minimize the risk of being infected by both bird
flu and human flu simultaneously
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 wellas 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.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
- Avoid live animal markets, poultry and pig farms in affected
countries
- Always maintain high levels of personal hygiene, especially before
and after food preparation and in-out of toilets. Regular wash your
hands
- Cook pork thoroughly
- Do not consume half-done pork
- While in an affected region, seek immediate medical attention if
you develop influenza-like symptoms. (High Fever, body pain,
coughing and red nose)
TRAVEL HEALTH
WHO does not recommend any travel restrictions to areas experiencing outbreaks, including countries, which have reported, associated cases of human infection.
WHO does not, at present recommend the routine screening of travelers coming from affected areas.
Spreading Country as on April 27, 2009 are ; Mexico, US, New Zealand, Israel, China.
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
THERE ARE EVERYDAY ACTIONS PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO STAY HEALTHY
- 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 hands cleaners are also effective
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
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 , stay at home or in your hotel room . Cover your mouth and nose with a mask 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 mask. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
GENERAL HEALTH TIPS
- Avoid close contact
With sick people. Keep safe distance
- Stay home when you are sick
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands
- Cover your mouth and nose
Cover mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Clean your hands
Frequent hand washing will protect you from germs
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET SICK ?
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
IS THERE A HUMAN VACCINE TO PROTECT FROM SWINE INFLUENZA ?
There are no vaccines that contain the current swine influenza virus causing illness in humans. It is not known whether current human seasonal influenza vaccines can provide any protection. Influenza viruses change very quickly. It is important to develop a vaccine against the currently circulating virus strain for it to
provide maximum protection to the vaccinated people. This is why WHO needs access to as many viruses as possible in order to select the most appropriate candidate vaccine virus.
WHAT DRUGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TREATMENT ?
Antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza are available in some countries and effectively prevent and treat the illness. There are two classes of such medicines, 1) adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine), and 2) inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir).
(from TET-HSE@technip.com)
