information about swine flu

What You Need to Know About Swine Flu
Q & A with Dr. Frank J. Bia, AmeriCares Medical Director and Yale Professor of Infectious DiseaseApril 27, 2009
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a strain of Influenza A, which is most commonly found in pigs. It can be transmitted to people, most often those who work with livestock or at county fairs.
What are swine flu symptoms?
Swine flu symptoms are just like other strain of flu – fever, body aches, fatigue, headache and chills. In children, nausea and diarrhea are also common.
Can I catch swine flu?
Swine flu is airborne and contagious. Exposure to someone with swine flu could infect you, especially if they are coughing or sneezing. You could also catch swine flu by direct contact or touching someone who is sick.
I get a flu shot every year, does that mean I’m immune?
No. Your flu shot will not protect you from swine flu. As swine flu is uncommon - there hasn’t been a major outbreak in decades - this particular strain of flu has not been part of the recommended flu vaccine.
What can I do to prevent catching the flu?
Good hygiene is the most important part of prevention. Wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand gel, keep surfaces clean and use a tissue to sneeze or cough.
Can I get swine flu from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine flu is not transmitted through food. But always be safe when serving pork and be sure the internal temperature is at least 160ºF to kill all possible germs.
What should I do if I think I have Swine Flu?
Stay home, rest and keep hydrated. Be sure to treat your symptoms early, as flu can get much worse very quickly. In most cases, treating flu symptoms is enough.
How do you treat the flu?
The first step is to treat symptoms with common over-the-counter medicines and home remedies. Stay warm and drink lots of liquids. Fever reducing medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help with fever, headaches and body aches. Rehydration drinks that replenish electrolytes and anti-diarrhea medicines help with digestive symptoms.
If you don’t get better, your doctor can do a rapid diagnostic test. There are effective medicines to combat Swine Flu and related infections.
Are there medicines to treat Swine Flu?
There are anti-viral medications that work very well against Swine Flu. The disease is highly treatable and the medicine is readily available in the United States.
I have young children, is there anything I need to look out for?
Watch your children’s energy level and fluid intake. If they are drinking less or seem spacey, be on the safe side and take their temperature.
I think my child might have the flu. What should I do?
During flu season, it’s important to have pediatric fever medicines, rehydration drinks that replenish electrolytes and anti-diarrhea medicines on hand.
When should I seek medical attention?
If you or someone under your care has a high temperature, shortness of breath, bluish skin tone or discolored mucus, you should seek medical attention right away.
I have elderly parents. What do I need to know?
It’s important to remember that the flu shot won’t protect you or your parents against the flu. And if you are their caregiver, you need to stay healthy!
If your parents get sick, they can get very disoriented or dehydrated, so it’s important to give them fever-reducing medicine and lots of liquids.
If they live in a nursing home or are in long-term care, there are strict infection control procedures for flu outbreaks. You should contact the facility for further details.
I have a heart condition, do I need to be careful with Swine Flu?
High fever is very common with Swine Flu. That can be dangerous because it can drive up your heart rate. Fever reducing medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help.
I have asthma, what do I need to know?People with asthma are at higher risk for lung infections that can be triggered by Swine Flu. Pay close attention to your mucus or anything you cough up (sputum). If it’s discolored, that’s a sign of a potential infection.