Swine Influenza – H1N1 Virus
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. The viruses that cause Swine flu have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is now spreading from human to human.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of common human flu. Symptoms of swine flu in people and include:
- fever
- body aches
- chills
- cough
- sore throat
- fatigue
- headache
- Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
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. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
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?
- Wash your hands regularly
- Try to stay in good health - assess your current health (Well Person Check)
- Get plenty of sleep
- Be physically active
- Manage your stress
- Drink plenty of fluids
- 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. Tamiflu is used 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.
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods than normal however 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.
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. It is important to regularly disinfact all hand contact points such as door handles, light switches, kitchen equipment handles, toilet flush handles etc.
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 hand washing 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.
- Effective hand sanitisers or hand wipes are effective also, and you may dfind these more convenient.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
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. it is recommended 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, other effective sanitisers supld be used. Supernova hand wipes, hand sanitising foamers and surface sprays area effective virucidal disinfectants as are alcohol-based disposable hand and surface wipes. These products do not need water to work.
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 diarrhoea, you may want to contact your 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 colour
- 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.
However, it is essential to cook meat properly. A temperature of 70C (158F) would be sure to kill the virus.
Where can I buy protective masks and other equipment to help reduce the risk of Swine Flu contamination?
- At EuroHygiene, we supply a range of disposable protective masks.
- The masks recommended for protection against this flu virus are FFP2 protection masks. These can be found here at our website.
- For persons in direct contact with infected patients, it is recommended that FFP3 level protection is used. These masks are available here.
- We also supply a range of disinfectants and hand sanitizing wipes which are effective against Swine Flu
- We supply a range of handy packs for protection against Swine Flu. Click here to see these protection packs.
- To see our full range of Swine Flu Related products click here
Are stocks available for immediate shipment?
- Yes - we have good stock holdings of all types of protective masks
- Yes we have good stocks of all Supernova Products and other disinfectant wipes
Where can I get further advice?
Further information and advice on swine flu can be found at websites of leading health and research organisations around the world.
FLU PANDEMICS 1918:
The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times. Caused by a form of the H1N1 strain of flu, it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's population were infected, and more than 50 million people died, with young adults particularly badly affected.
1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The impact of the pandemic was minimised by rapid action by health authorities, who identified the virus, and made vaccine available speedily. The elderly were particularly vulnerable.
1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die.