What is SWINE FLU (Swine Influenza A) ?
Actually 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 substained beyond 3 people.
Actually 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 substained beyond 3 people.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
the symptoms of regular human flu and included
*fever (greater than 100'F or 37.8'c)
*cough
*sore throat
*body aches and headache
*chills
*fatigue
*stuffy nose
But some people have reported
diarrhea and vomiting associated with SWINE FLU.
In the past,severe illness and deaths have been reported
with SWINE FLU infection in people.
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.
MINIMISING THE RISK OF AN EPIDEMIC
Culling
-killing large numbers of infected and potentially
infected animals
Quaranting
-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
Culling
-killing large numbers of infected and potentially
infected animals
Quaranting
-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 well
as while you are sick.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in goodInfected 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 well
as while you are sick.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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.
*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)
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)
Spreading Country as on April 27, 2009 are
Mexico, US, New Zealand, Israel, China
Mexico, US, New Zealand, Israel, China
* Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot
get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating
properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
FOOD SAFETY ISSUES
* Cook food thoroughly
* Follow good hygienic practices
* No “pink” parts for meat
* Buy food from safe and established supermarkets
* Check the expiry date (if any)
* Choose a clean and known restaurant for dining
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
get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating
properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
FOOD SAFETY ISSUES
* Cook food thoroughly
* Follow good hygienic practices
* No “pink” parts for meat
* Buy food from safe and established supermarkets
* Check the expiry date (if any)
* Choose a clean and known restaurant for dining
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
Until nowadays there are no vaccines that contain the current SWINE FLU
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.
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.
