Human Cases of Swine Influenza Investigated

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is currently investigating human cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1). As of April 24^th 2009, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 8 human cases of Swine Influenza in the United States and another 7 human cases of Swine Influenza in Mexico.

Normally, people do not contract Swine Influenza, which is a respiratory disease occurring regularly in pigs, and is caused by type A influenza viruses. However, according to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, human Swine Influenza infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs.

While analyzing the data from the current outbreak, however, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that Swine Influenza is contagious and is spreading from human to human. While it is not known at this time how easily the virus spreads between people, the current indicators suggest Swine Influenza spreads the same way as seasonal flu - person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If, at this point, you are thinking about giving up bacon, don't. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, "you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe."

All of the current United States cases of Swine Influenza reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention have occurred in San Diego County or Imperial County California or Guadalupe County, Texas. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people living in the areas who become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea contact their health care provider to determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

While in the United States there have been two fatal outbreaks of Swine Influenza, the last recorded death due to the illness occurred in 1988, when a Wisconsin woman was hospitalized for Pneumonia after being infected with Swine Influenza.

Luckily today there are medicines which reduce the likelihood of Swine Influenza developing into anything more serious than a normal Flu. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses, which may also prevent serious complications from Swine Influenza. However, theses work best if started soon after getting sick.

Human Swine Influenza Investigation, www.cdc.gov

Bird Flu in Egypt and Swine Flu in California Raise Guarded Concerns, discovermagazine.com