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PUBLIC HEALTH FACT SHEET |
Swine Flu
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
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What is
swine influenza?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs
caused by a type of influenza virus. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in
pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do
happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around
pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from one person to
another. In
the
Swine flu causes symptoms very similar to
seasonal (or human) flu. The most common symptoms of
swine flu, like seasonal flu, are fever, cough, and sore throat and can include
body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and
vomiting. There have been some people with swine flu who have been sicker and
have even died.
Is swine
flu treatable in people?
People sick with any type of flu should make
sure to drink enough fluids, get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, wash hands
frequently and stay home to avoid spreading the flu to other people. The kinds
of drugs used to treat seasonal flu, called antivirals, can also be used to
treat swine flu. There have been a few influenza viruses, including the most
recent swine flu, that are resistant to some, but not all, of these drugs. Healthcare providers may recommend that
people who are sick or appear to be sick with swine flu receive an antiviral
medication.
How would
I know if I have swine flu?
If you have symptoms of influenza as described
above, and especially if you have recently traveled to an area where there have
been human cases of swine flu, contact your healthcare provider who will decide
what type of testing and treatment is right for you. To
diagnose any kind of flu virus, a swab of the
inside of your nose needs to be collected by a doctor. Identification of a
swine flu virus requires special laboratory testing.
If you think you might have swine
flu and you need to see your health care provider, you should call ahead and
let them know you might have the flu.
That way, precautions can be taken to avoid the spread of flu to others.
What
if I recently traveled to a region where swine flu in humans has been found?
If you have recently traveled to an
area affected by swine flu, be watchful for any flu-like symptoms. If you are
experiencing any of these symptoms, stay home to avoid exposing others and contact your healthcare
provider; your healthcare provider will decide what type of testing and
treatment is right for you. To diagnose any kind of flu virus, a swab of the inside of
your nose needs to be collected by a doctor. Identification of a swine flu
virus requires special laboratory testing.
You can protect yourself and others from swine
flu the same way that you can protect yourself from seasonal flu. Avoid
holding, hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the
flu. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or
eyes. Clean things that are touched often like door
handles, telephones, etc. If you get
sick with a flu-like illness say home from work and school and avoid contact
with others so the virus does not spread.
All people with swine flu who are not hospitalized, and their household
and other close contacts, will need to stay at home to prevent spread of
illness to other people.
If I have swine flu, can I stay at home?
People
with mild or moderate illness can and should be cared for at home to prevent
spread. Things people who have swine flu who are cared for at home
should do include:
·
check with
their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are
pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or
emphysema
·
check with
their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications
·
stay home for at
least 7 days after onset of illness; or until free of symptoms (including
fever) for 24 hours, which ever is longer
·
get plenty of
rest
·
drink clear
fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants)
to keep from being dehydrated
·
cover coughs
and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often
and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.
·
Never cough in
the direction of someone else.
·
avoid close
contact with others – do not go to work or school while ill
·
be watchful for
emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek
medical attention
Get medical care right away if the
sick person at home:
·
has difficulty breathing or chest pain
·
has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
·
is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
·
has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence
of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
·
has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) is less
responsive than normal or becomes confused
Is
there a vaccine for swine flu?
No. Right now there is no vaccine
for swine flu. According to CDC, it is unlikely that the vaccine for seasonal
flu will prevent swine flu.
Yes. It is safe to eat properly handled and
cooked pork and pork products. Swine flu viruses are
not spread by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
Why is
swine flu important?
Approximately every 20-40 years, a new strain of
the flu virus appears which is very different from the ordinary seasonal flu
virus. When this happens most people do
not have immunity to this new strain of flu virus and it can spread to many
people, across the world, over a short period of time. This
is called an influenza pandemic. Some people think that swine flu
viruses might play a role in the start of the next pandemic.
For more
information about seasonal flu, pandemic flu, avian flu and swine flu, please visit the websites listed below or contact the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and
Immunization at 617-983-6800.
·
Massachusetts Department
of Public Health website on influenza
·
Center for Disease
Control (CDC) websites on swine flu
April 27, 2009