What Is Swine Flu?
Like humans, pigs get the flu. Four different type A swine flu strains commonly circulate among pigs. Most recent swine flu viruses have belonged to the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. Pigs typically get sick but usually don't die from swine flu.
The new swine flu virus infecting humans is very unusual. It's somehow acquired genes from swine, bird, and human flu bugs. And it's also got genes from Eurasian swine flu viruses that aren't supposed to be in North America.
Swine flu symptoms:
"The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea."
I Got a Flu Shot. Am I Protected Against Swine Flu?
No. There is currently no swine flu vaccine.
It's possible that the seasonal flu vaccine might provide partial protection against H3N2 swine flu bugs. But the strain that appeared in California is the H1N1 swine flu strain. It is very different from the H1N1 human flu strain included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
It's not known whether previous infection with human type A H1N1 flu might provide partial protection against the type A H1N1 swine flu in the current outbreak.
However, the CDC has made a "vaccine seed" from swine flu isolated from an infected person, and has begun the process of developing a vaccine should the need arise. Whether a vaccine could be produced in quantity by next flu season is a huge question.
Is There a Treatment for Swine Flu?
Yes. While the swine flu bug is resistant to older flu medicines, it remains sensitive to Tamiflu and to Relenza.
Keep the Medicine TAMIFLU in your medicine cupboard and use if required immediately.
Prevention of Swine Flu
Covering nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing followed by proper disposal of the tissue.
Avoiding contact with ill persons.
Avoiding the urge to touch nose, mouth and eyes in general.
Staying home form work and/or school upon onset and for the duration of symptoms.
Assuring adequate and thorough handwashing and use of alcohol based hand cleansers (in the absence of proper handwashing facilities).
Providing tissues in common areas of homes, common and public areas.
Encouraging pursuit of medical evaluation at earliest onset of symptoms.
Use of masks to those who are exhibiting symptoms or who are ill.
Maintenance of a 3 to 6 foot perimeter around a coughing patient.
Calm analysis coupled with accurate and proper public education is the key to identifying, treating and minimizing a worldwide outbreak.
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