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
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 U.S.
with no
deaths
occurring.
However,
swine flu
infection
can be
serious. In
September
1988, a
previously
healthy
32-year-old
pregnant
woman in
Wisconsin
was
hospitalized
for
pneumonia
after being
infected
with swine
flu and died
8 days
later. A
swine flu
outbreak in
Fort Dix,
New Jersey
occurred in
1976 that
caused more
than 200
cases with
serious
illness in
several
people and
one death.
How
do you catch
swine flu?
Spread of
swine flu
can occur in
two ways:
- Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
- Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
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
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. - 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. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
What
should I do
if I get
sick?
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
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.
