irene jessie hunte Department of Health
Director/Health Officer
TEL: 973-881-4396
FAX: 973-225-0222
Swine Influenza and You
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A
influenza viruses 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 sustained beyond three people.
Are there human infections with swine flu in
the
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine
influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and
is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how
easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu
in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular
human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills
and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with
swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and
deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal
flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
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.
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 hand washing 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
Can I get swine influenza from eating or
preparing pork?
No. 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.
Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help
Stop Germs
Fact Sheet
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like
covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of
germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs
that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.
Avoid close contact.
Avoid close
contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from
others to protect them from getting sick too.
Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay
home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent
others from catching your illness.
Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth
and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around
you from getting sick.
Clean your hands.
Washing your hands
often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often
spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then
touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of
sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and
eat nutritious food.
Information source: The Centers for Disease Control:
For more information go to: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/