SWINE FLU IT'S SYMPTOMS AND VACCINE

What swine flu actually is?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. People usually do not get swine flu, though there have been a few cases reported in persons working in close proximity with pigs. Since the virus from the pigs has to mutate so it can infect humans, and because people do not usually contract the virus, they have no immunity against it. So when they do contract it, it can become hazardous. It is contagious, and spreads from human-to-human contact easily.

How do symptoms of swine flu differ from other types of flu?

Not much. The basic symptoms for swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu, which may include

• fever
• sore throat
• cough
• stuffy nose
• chills
• headache and body aches
• fatigue
• and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.

How does it spread?

The virus is actually transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough; or from germs on hands.

Is there medication or a vaccine for swine flu?

The vaccine is being developed and will not be available for the next several months. Medications are available not only to treat the infection but also to prevent the disease. But these medications need to be used under a physician’s guidance.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 7 days or longer.

What can I do to prevent infection?

• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Try to stay in good health and be physically active
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
• Stay at home if you are ill.
• If you develop symptoms suggesting the flu, stay away from work or public transportation, call and see a doctor immediately

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?

Yes. The virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160 F/ 70C

Is it safe to travel?

As of now there are no travel restrictions. Limiting travel would have little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community. The focus now is on minimizing the impact of the virus. The current swine flu alert sweeping across the globe has health organizations doing their best to prevent a full-blown pandemic. The challenge for them is to prevent the virus from crossing borders and infecting their populations.

Since symptoms mimic those for common flu, for a layperson, it is hard to tell them apart.

Treatment

If diagnosed early, swine flu is easy to treat, so there is no need for panic. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO recommend the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for treating swine flu.

Prevention

A new virus being developed is slated to be available only mid-2009. Till then, adequate precautions against infection are absolutely essential in order to prevent a global pandemic.

Prevention of human to human transmission

• Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol based hand sensitizers, especially after being out in the public.

• Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation, and contact a doctor to be tested. B