A Look at the Swine Flu: How It's Different and How to Prevent It

As you have seen and heard on your TV News, the H1N1 Swine Flu is here, and making people sick all over the world. On April 30, 2009 the World Health Organization pandemic alert status raised to level 5, just one level short of a full pandemic. Doctor's office phones are ringing off the hook, and people are rushing to their local emergency rooms, at the 1st sign of the flu. This article is going to explain what the swine flu is, how to recognize it and when you need to seek medical attention.

The H1N1 swine flu virus is a different form of the influenza virus from the normal seasonal influenza A virus that occurs each year. Although it is recommended that everyone get a "flu shot" vaccine each year, because of the differences of this strain of the flu, it will not protect you from N1H1.

The symptoms of swine flu are: headache, fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue as the normal seasonal influenza A. There are also reports of diarrhea and vomiting, according to a news release from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

N1H1, is called the "Swine Flu" because of it resemblance to the flu that infects pigs each year. It has been found to have genes from 2 types of flu that affect pigs in Europe, 1 type of flu that affects pigs in Asia, plus genes from avian (bird) and human influenza genes. It is passed from human to human in the same way as the seasonal flu, by contact with droplets from a sneeze, or touching surfaces that have been infected with the flu virus, such as tables, door knobs, telephones, etc. This virus is said to be able to live on surfaces for anywhere between 2 and 9 hours depending on the conditions. Contrary to popular belief's this virus is not believed to be able to be passed from pigs to humans, and there is no danger at all from eating properly cooked pork products.

As of May 2nd at 11:00 AM ET, there were 160 confirmed cases of the H1N1 "swine" flu, with 1 death in the United States. This is many times less infections and deaths than the seasonal A flu.

Although your normal flu medicine may not be effective on the H1N1 "swine flu" , Tamiflu, made my Roche, is effective in treating swine flu, and other antiviral medications may also be effective. On May 2nd, the World Health Organization (WHO) has requested deployment of the "Rapid Response Stockpile" consisting of approximately 2 million treatments of Tamiflu held by the WHO and 3 million treatments of Tamiflu held by Roche. This is in addition to the ramped up manufacturing process of Tamiflu by the manufacturer to provide a continuing supply of medication.

To keep yourself healthy, and avoid the H1N1 Swine Flu, you should take the following precautions according to the Centers for Disease Control.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Properly dispose of the tissue when your done.
• Wash your hands after you sneeze or cough, using soap and water, or alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Germs are easily passed this way.
• If you get sick, STAY HOME to avoid infecting others.

You should treat this flu as you would any other flu, get plenty of rest and drink fluids. For most people the H1N1 flu will act as the seasonal flu and there is nothing to worry about. You should seek medical attention immediately if you see the following symptoms.

In Kids

• Fast or Trouble Breathing
• Bluish or Grey Skin
• Not Drinking Fluids
• Not waking up or Interacting as normal
• Being unusually irritable
• Flu like symptoms that disappear then return
• Fever with a Rash

In Adults

• Difficulty breathing or Shortness of Breath
• Pain or Pressure in the Chest or Abdomen
• Sudden Dizziness
• Confusion
• Vomiting

It is thought that you could be contagious for anywhere from 1 to 7 days. According to guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, all schools that have a student who is diagnosed with swine flu, should be closed now for 2 weeks, from the previous guidance of 1 week.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov
World Health Organization www.who.int
Roche www.roche.com