Swine Flu Symptoms and Precautions

What is Swine Flu?

The Merck Veterinary Manual defines Swine Flu as – “Swine influenza is an acute, highly contagious, respiratory disease that results from infection with type A influenza virus.”

What are it’s symptoms?

Image source: SwineInflu.org

In the video below (linked to YouTube), Dr. Joe Bresee, with CDC’s Influenza Division, describes the symptoms of swine flu and warning signs to look for, that indicate the need for urgent medical attention.

How does it spread?

As per Fitzania.com:

• Spread of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.
• Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
• Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with live flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Precautions

• Good personal health and hygiene habits, like hand washing, avoiding spitting, and covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, are reasonably effective in reducing influenza transmission.
• In particular, hand-washing with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand rubs, is very effective at inactivating influenza viruses.
• These simple personal hygiene precautions are recommended as the main way of reducing infections during pandemics.
• Although face masks might help prevent transmission when caring for the sick, there is mixed evidence on beneficial effects in the community.
• Since influenza spreads through both aerosols and contact with contaminated surfaces, surface sanitizing may help prevent some infections.
• Alcohol is an effective sanitizer against influenza viruses, while quaternary ammonium compounds can be used with alcohol so that the sanitizing effect lasts for longer.
• Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.

Source of the above bullet points: Wikipedia – Infection Control and Wikipedi – Swine Flu in Human.

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