Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)

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.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well.

Government Authorized Hospitals For Treatment 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.

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.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are 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:

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. Recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue while coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands every time after coughing or sneezing, thoroughly with soap and water, before and after touching your nose, eyes or mouth
• Avoid crowded places
• Stay at home if infected with flu like illness
• Keep at least an arm’s distance from people affected with symptoms of influenza like cough, running nose, sneezing and fever
• Sleep well, stay physically active and effectively manage stress
• Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

• Shake hands, hug and kiss socially, or use other contact greetings
• Take medicines without consulting the physician
• Spit outdoors.
• Aspirin not to be used in children.