April 29, 2009
Know the Facts
Swine Flu FAQs
Hand Sanitizers
CDC Podcast
Susan Lindenmuth
Public Relations Manager
21500 Three Oaks Parkway
Estero, FL 33928
Office:
(239) 390-8000
E-mail:
lindenmuth@esterofire.org
www.esterofire.org
Swine Influenza
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the
Swine Flu to help you better understand this virus.
First, don’t panic.
Knowledge is a powerful weapon and with these tips from the Center for
Disease Control (CDC), you can help keep your family safe and healthy:
What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A
influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu
viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine
influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most
outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in
humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first
isolated from a pig in 1930.
How many swine flu
viruses are there?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be
infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine
influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs,
the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of
swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years,
different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are
four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1,
H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses
from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
Can humans catch swine
flu?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human
infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in
persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or
workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of
one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent
swine flu infection in pigs in
How
common is swine flu infection in humans?
In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza
virus infection every one to two years in the
What are the symptoms of
swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms
of regular human
seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and
coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat,
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Can people catch swine
flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine
influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked
pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F
kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
How does swine flu
spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from
people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to
occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns
and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of
swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal
flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through
coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may
become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching
their mouth or nose.
What do we know about
human-to-human spread of swine flu?
In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was
hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was
detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine
exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.
In follow-up studies, 76% of
swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no
serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest
that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient
developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu
infection.
How
can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally
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 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu
influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.
What medications are
available to treat swine flu infections in humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the
What other examples of
swine flu outbreaks are there?
Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in
Is the
H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?
No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1
viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide
protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.
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.
What should I do to keep
from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good 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.
Are there medicines to
treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or
prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are
prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu
by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral
drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may
also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best
if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an infected
person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially
contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days
following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might
potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most
likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with
germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or
sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a
person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk
and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How long can viruses
live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces
like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you
reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect
myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are
everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause
respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your
health:
-
Cover your nose and mouth with
a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you
use it.
-
Wash your hands often with soap
and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners
are also effective.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose
or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-
Try to avoid close contact with
sick people.
-
If you get sick with influenza,
CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with
others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best way to
keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are
sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to
work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used
tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a
tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best way to
keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do
not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put
your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not
have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best
technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often
will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with
alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with
soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water
are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be
used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub
your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol
in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I
get sick?
If you live in areas
where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with
influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat,
nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care
provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care
provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay
home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from
spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and experience
any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
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
How serious is swine flu
infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.
Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in
the