Everything about Swine Flu
Introduction
By now you have probably seen or heard the frightening news of swine flu infection. Unfortunately swine flu has now been confirmed in multiple locations within India and the rest of the world. On April 25, 2009, the World Health Organisation announced that the recent outbreak of swine flu is had been declared a “public health emergency of international concern”. It is a highly contagious infection and potentially deadly. So what precautions can you easily take to prevent being infected by swine flu?
If you are concerned that you or the people around you may be at risk for contracting the virus, this guide will show you how to prevent swine flu and will also answer all your questions.
Be Aware
The CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) provides up to date reports on any epidemic, including the swine flu outbreak of spring 2009. Do check out the WHO website http://www.who.int/en/ for the latest situation update.
Visit the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/ or pay attention to local, national and international news reports to ensure you are aware of any recent developments and remain informed about where and how the swine flu is believed to be spreading.
What precautions can I take to protect myself and my family? The swine flu is believed to spread mainly from person to person via airborne germs expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To help prevent from being infected:
Wash your hand often with warm water and antibacterial soap. Since swine flu like other viruses can be contracted by touching objects contaminated by the virus. It’s unsure how long the swine flu virus can survive on surrounding surfaces.
Avoid touching your face, especially the areas around your eyes, nose and mouth too frequently since the swine flu appear to be contracted like the common cold.
Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze by using tissues. Put your used tissues in the bin and wash your hands afterwards.
If you are unable to wash your hands regularly, carry an alcohol based hand wash or hand sanitizer with you and use regularly. Though they don’t routinely kill viruses they probably do offer some limited protection in preventing swine flu infections. These are available easily with any pharmacist.
Avoid areas or people that may be contaminated.
If swine flu infections have been medically confirmed in your area consider avoiding large public gatherings. Individuals can be contagious with the swine flu virus before demonstrating any signs or symptoms of infection. Be particularly careful about indoor gatherings where air circulates poorly.
If you need to visit a contaminated area or feel you are at high risk or paranoid and don’t mind looking odd then consider wearing a respiratory mask. This barrier method does offer some basic protection against infection.
Although the World Health Organisation has not recommended any border closures or travel limitations as of now, those who felt ill were advised to delay travelling whenever possible. In addition, people who developed flu like symptoms after travelling were advised to see a doctor.
Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly, especially the surfaces that people often touch with their hands.
These simple hygiene rules should be followed at all times, not just during an outbreak of swine flu. Good hygiene helps to protect you from a wide range of infections.
What is swine influenza and influenza A (H1N1)?
Swine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that normally only affects pigs. It is commonly caused by H1N1 strains of swine influenza A virus. However, other strains, such as H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2 also circulate in pigs. While it is not usual for people to get swine flu, human infections do occasionally happen, mainly after close contact with infected pigs. The Swine Flu is a combination of four known strains including Avian flu, Human Influenza and two other viruses. This new strain of influenza is not only extremely contagious but also deadly, however, there are flu pandemic preparation measures you can take to ensure you do not get the Swine flu. During March/April 2009, this new strain of swine influenza virus emerged in Mexico, and started to cause illness in humans.
Is it safe to eat pork and other foods derived from pigs?
You cannot get influenza by eating properly handled and prepared pork or other foods derived from pigs (e.g. bacon, sausages). However, good food hygiene helps to prevent a wide range of infections, so it is important that all food is always prepared hygienically.
Never eat raw or poorly cooked meat. Keep raw meat away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods. Use a separate chopping board and knife to prepare raw meat. Wash your hands immediately after handling raw meat. Clean and disinfect surfaces and utensils immediately after contact with raw meat.
What are the symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) in humans?
When people are infected with swine flu viruses, their symptoms are usually similar to those of normal seasonal influenza. These include fever, tiredness, lack of appetite, coughing and a sore throat. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhoea. Some people infected with influenza A (H1N1) have had severe illness and died mainly because of high fevers, diarrhoea, and dehydration. However, in almost all cases the symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) have been mild, and people have made a full recovery.
How does influenza A (H1N1) spread between people?
This new influenza virus is thought to spread in the same way as seasonal flu; in tiny droplets, expelled from the mouth and nose of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. People may get infected if they breathe in these droplets or if they touch someone or something that is contaminated with the virus (e.g. a used tissue or door handle), and then touch their nose or eyes.
Is there a vaccine to protect people from influenza A (H1N1)?
Yes, some manufacturers have created it.
How quickly will pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccines be available for use?
The very first doses of influenza A (H1N1) vaccine usable to immunize people, from one or more manufacturers, will probably be available in October 2009 for the public.
Can anyone get immunized by the vaccination as soon as it is available?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, people aged 6 months to 24 years old, and people aged 25-64 who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems receive the H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available.
What’s been done to ensure that developing countries get enough vaccine?
It depends on what we mean by “enough”. Some countries want to vaccinate every member of the population, but there is no way to do this for the whole world. WHO has a cross-organizational operation that is in place to secure vaccines for developing countries. This is spearheaded by the Director-General’s Office and the legal and vaccine departments. WHO is engaged in three types of activities.
The first is to negotiate donations with manufacturers. Two have been announced: 100 million doses by sanofi-aventis and 50 million doses from GlaxoSmithKline. Second, WHO is working with other manufacturers to reserve a portion of their vaccine production for WHO at a reduced price. Third, WHO is working with governments to raise funds to purchase vaccines. WHO is working with 11 vaccine manufacturers based in developing countries, providing them with seed financing and technical expertise to help them produce influenza vaccine domestically. WHO has helped them with access to technology and given them sub-licences to use technology for producing live attenuated vaccine. These 11 companies will be manufacturing some of the 30 different expected vaccines. What happens if developing countries have only partial coverage of vaccination?
Coverage will be partial not only in developing countries but in all countries. But we should not be “hypnotized” by vaccines. There are other measures, such as social distancing, school closure, avoidance of large gatherings, antibiotics and personal hygiene. This is not like rabies, which is 100% fatal: we are talking about a disease from which most people recover very well. The WHO is trying to help all countries to gain access to as much vaccine as possible, at least to preserve their health systems functioning, but there is just not enough vaccine for every country in the world to vaccinate every member of the population twice.
How effective are face masks ?
Surgical masks or face masks are disposable devices used to cover the nose and mouth during surgery or to help a person from breathing in micro-organisms like viruses and bacteria.
These can be used to help prevent the spread of potentially pandemic influenza like the swine flu. The FDA recommends Surgical N95 respirators instead of the regular surgical masks. These protect against the tiniest particles. However FDA warns that the Surgical N95 respirators will not fully protect you from acquiring an infection and advises people to cover their mouths while coughing and through hand washing.
The masks are for one time use only and should be discarded. They can stop larger particles such as droplets but do not protect against smaller particles.
Wear a face mask if you need to visit a crowded place like a shopping mall etc. Avoid theatres, concerts and any place where crowds can collect till the pandemic is under control.
Conclusion
The swine flu spreads similarly to other flu viruses. Therefore, the same things you would do to prevent contracting other airborne viruses, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding contact with contaminated people or areas may also help you avoid swine flu. If you feel as though you may be infected with swine flu, visit a health care professional immediately and minimize your contact with other people.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact you doctor before using the information presented here.
