Swine Flu Pandemic Questions and Answers

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a swine flu (H1N1) pandemic. This article will answer these frequently asked questions about the swine flu.

What is a pandemic?
Where did the swine flu start?
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Is it safe to eat pork?
Should I see a doctor?
What is the incubation period for swine flu?
How long is a person with the swine flu contagious?
What is the treatment for swine flu?
I got a flu shot - will that protect me against the swine flu?
Who is at risk?
How can I protect others and myself from the swine flu?

Facts in this article came from the CDC web site. Please go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ for more information.

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is an illness that occurs over a wide geographic area and claims an unusually high number of victims - a global epidemic. The swine flu is a new flu virus with components of pig and bird flu. Humans do not have any immunity to this new virus. The last pandemic was the Hong Kong flu (1968), which killed about 1 million people. Ordinary flu is fatal in about 500,000 cases each year. Pandemic does not mean panic. Expect hospital emergency rooms to be more crowded with people who do not realize that.

Where did the swine flu start?

While researches do not yet know how or when the swine flu developed, scientists now say that the swine flu infected pigs for years before it jumped to humans. The earliest reported case of swine flu in humans was March 9, 2009 in Veracruz, Mexico. Later in March, a small girl in California was the first reported U.S. case. She recovered from the swine flu. April 13, 2009 brought the first confirmed swine flu death - a 39-year-old woman from Oaxaca, Mexico.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include "fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue." Significantly, many swine flu patients are reporting diarrhea and vomiting.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Is it safe to eat pork?

Absolutely. The virus does not spread through food, but make sure you follow proper cooking directions when cooking pork as you would when cooking any other food to avoid food poisoning.

Should I see a doctor?

I am not a health care professional so please contact your doctor to see what he or she thinks you should so. The CDC recommendations that you see a doctor if you have a fever greater than 100.1 ° F (37.8° C] plus one or more of the following: nasal congestion; sore throat; cough.

The CDC states that urgent medical attention is warranted in the following instances:

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
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

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
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

What is the incubation period for swine flu?

The CDC states that, "The estimated incubation period is unknown and could range from 1-7 days, and more likely 1-4 days."

How long is a person with the swine flu contagious?

No one is sure, but estimates put the contagious period at up to 10 days, especially with children who remain contagious longer than adults do.

What is the treatment for swine flu?

Not all antiviral drugs are effective against swine flu, but two antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective.

I got a flu shot - will that protect me against the swine flu?

No. The swine flu is a new strain of flu and as of June 2009, there is no vaccine that prevents it. Many drug makers are rushing to develop a vaccine. Check the news and the Internet to keep current on the progress.

Who is at risk?

The risks of contracting the swine flu or any influenza strain increase for certain groups of people.

Children under 5;
Adults over 64;
Children under the age of 18 who receive aspirin therapy long term and might be at risk for Reye syndrome;
Pregnant women;
Immunosuppressed children and adults;
Residents of long-term care facilities.;
Adults and children who have a chronic condition affecting the heart, lungs, blood, nerves, liver, or metabolism.

How can I protect others and myself from the swine flu?

Since the flu is transmitted mainly through coughs and sneezes of those infected, the CDC recommends staying away from those who are sick, frequently washing your hands, and as always, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you cough or sneeze to prevent germs from spreading to others and throw the tissue away. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth as germs are spread easily from these areas. If you do touch these areas, wash your hands - not just a rinse, but also a proper soap and water washing. You should soap your hands, scrub for 15 - 20 seconds, and make sure you clean everywhere including under your fingernails. Rinse well and dry your hands with a disposable towel. Use that towel to turn off the water or open a public bathroom door otherwise you reintroduce germs. If you prefer, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if your hands are not visibly dirty.

Most importantly, stay informed by checking your local news and the CDC swine flu web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.