Fw: THE BEST PROTECTION FOR SWINE FLU..................KNOWLEDGE

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THE BEST PROTECTION FOR SWINE FLU..................KNOWLEDGE

Swine Flu Questions & Answers

From various web sites--CDC mostly

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd.

Atlanta, GA 30333, USA

800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

TTY: (888) 232-6348

24 Hours/Every Day

cdcinfo@...

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

* 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 hands cleaners are also effective.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through

coughing or sneezing of infected people.

* If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or

school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Questions & Answers

Swine Influenza and You

What is 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.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?

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 , Texas. Other U.S. States have

reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been

reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed

swine flu infections in the United States is kept at

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state

health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is

contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this

time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

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 this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be

happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. 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 can someone with the flu infect someone else?

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.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

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.

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 surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is

contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or

mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move

through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory

droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches

their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on

surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent

handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination

from these common surfaces.

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.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

* 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.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing

or sneezing?

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.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing

or sneezing?

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.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with

soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we 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.

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 their health care provider, particularly if you

are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will

determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

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

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.

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.

Questions & Answers

Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)

On This Page

* Swine Flu

* Swine Flu in Humans

* Swine Flu in Pigs

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