SWINE FLUE

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.

*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

Is the current swine flu virus contagious?

>Various international agencies (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ,World Health Organization) have determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

>WHO has escalated the world Pandemic Phase from Phase 3 to Phase 4(in a 6-

scale Phas), indicating that a worldwide pandemic due to swine flu H1N1 is possible.

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

1)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.

2)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.

3)Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical

conditions

How are human infections with swine influenza diagnosed?

•To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to

 be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to 

be shedding virus).

•However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.

•Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to a hospital 

laboratory for testing.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

•Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir 

(Relenza®) 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). 

Is there a vaccine for Pandemic Flu?

•Because the virus is new, there will be no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic

flu.

•Vaccine against Swine Flu virus H1N1 needs at least 6-12 months to be produced.

•Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu immunization will not provide protection.