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.

When are people most infectious?

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms. They can continue to shed (spread) the virus (for example, in coughs and sneezes) for up to five days (seven days in children). People become less infectious as their symptoms subside, and once their symptoms are gone they are no longer considered infectious to others.

Is swine flu infectious?
Various international agencies (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, World Health Organization) have determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. WHO has escalated the world Pandemic Phase to Phase 6 (in a 6-scale Phase), indicating that a worldwide pandemic due to swine flu H1N1 is possible.

What are the signs of swine flu?
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 swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way as that of seasonal flu. 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 are human infections with swine influenza diagnosed?
To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen is generally 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 a hospital laboratory for testing.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). They are currently available with hospitals and are to be administered under supervision of clinicians. Doctors recommend the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. These should not be taken without doctor’s advice.

 

How long can viruses live outside the body?
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?
Currently available seasonal influenza vaccine does not 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:
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
• If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. However, if you have any respiratory distress, report to a nearby hospital. Don’t forget to wear a facemask while going to the hospital

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 the health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
Also, if you are sick, 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 warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

• The disease spreads very quickly, especially in crowded places.
• Cold and dry weather enables the virus to survive longer outside the body than in other conditions and, as a result, seasonal epidemics in temperate areas appear in winter.
• Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food.