What is “Swine flu”?

Swine flu is a viral infection basically found in pigs that is caused by swine influenza virus. It is very rare to get swine flu in humans except in some cases where people have direct contact with pigs. Currently, the nature of swine flu virus transmission has changed and it can be transmitted from humans to humans even if there is no prior contact with pigs. There are four main sub-types of the virus, but the most recent isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

For more information http://www.askdoctorforfree.com/ask.php

How does the swine flu spread?

In the present outbreak of swine flu, the virus is spread by air borne contact. Infection can be transmitted through cough, sneeze, or even by touching the objects that have been touched by an infected individual. Chances of infection are more if after touching these objects one touches the eyes, mouth, or nose.

Can you get swine flu by eating pork?

Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 70ºC and above kills the swine flu virus.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Since it is a viral infection, its symptoms are similar to Influenza. In humans, the symptoms include:

-Fever

-Cough

-Sore throat

-Runny nose

-Headache

-Fatigue

-General body aches

-Diarrhea and vomiting

-Neurological symptoms (Especially in children)

How to prevent swine flu?

There are several ways to prevent swine flu. Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol based sanitizers after being out in the public. Also eat a healthy nutritious diet and drink plenty of fluids and keep your household articles clean with disinfectant or diluted chlorine bleach. Avoid close contact with people who might be infected. Wear a face mask (consider using an N95 respirator) if you must come intoclose contact with a sick person.

How to diagnose swine flu?

Diagnosis of swine flu is done by collecting respiratory specimens during the first 4 to 5 days of illness (10 days in children) and getting real-time RT-PCR and/or viral culture specifically for Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus. Hence, if one has any of the swine flu symptoms, a doctor’s consultation is necessary.

For more information http://www.askdoctorforfree.com/ask.php

What is the treatment of swine flu?

As it is a viral illness, hence, majority make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. However, the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses has been found to be effective. In the recent outbreak, the virus has been found to be resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?

There is no vaccine for swine flu as yet. But vaccines are being made in large quantities and clinical tests will begin in August 2009.

How to deal with a swine flu patient at home?

If any of your family members have fever with cough or sore throat, make sure to consult your doctor at the earliest. Suspected person should stay home for seven days after symptoms begin and should wear a face mask or N95 respirator. He/ She should throw the used tissues and other disposable items in the trash and immediately wash his hands afterwards. Alternatively, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to suspected cases should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry. One should wash one’s hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry and other household items of suspected individuals. Children should be strictly prohibited from close contact and an infected ****** feeding mother should express her ****** milk, and the child should be fed by someone else. If the investigations come out positive, then the infected individual should be quarantined in an isolated ward in a hospital and treatment started to prevent complications.

What is the role of face masks in swine flu prevention?

The role of face masks and respirators as the first line of defense against the virus is still controversial. But these offer additional protection against the air borne illness.N-95 respirators are better than face masks or surgical masks but it is hard to breathe through them for extended periods and are inconvenient to wear for children and people with ****** hair.

What is the prognosis of patients with swine flu?

Most of the patients of swine flu recover with no complications. Patients with depressed immune function or those who are seriously ill have worse prognosis compared to those who are immunocompetent.

How does swine flu kill?

Swine flu being an air borne infection infects the respiratory system chiefly lungs and causes lung infections. It can also cause secondary infection which can affect the vital organs of the body and lead to death.

What precautions should you take while travelling?

Apart from the general measures described above to prevent swine flu, if you become ill in any way while in the country, you should seek medical advice immediately.Also consult your health care provider and discuss the various risks associated with the disease if you are travelling to any country that has reported cases of flu among birds, swine, or humans.

For more information visit http://www.askdoctorforfree.com/ask.php

http://www.google.com

You can’t turn on the TV these days without an update on the swine flu pandemic (that means it’s widespread throughout the world). In my part of the world, dozens of schools have closed this week as health officials are attempting to stay ahead of the spreading problem.

As all parents know, schools can be a prime breeding ground for infectious diseases. Kids, who typically haven’t built up immunity to as many germs as adults…in confined spaces with other kids…who typically don’t think about the spread of germs or washing their hands, oh my!

Knowing that my younger son wouldn’t be exposed to the virus at school, at least this week anyway, gave me a bit of relief. I know for a fact that some of his fellow students returned recently from a junket to Mexico, so I was especially relieved by the school closing. But it got me thinking and worrying, so I did a little research that you may find useful.

Although swine flu normally affects only pigs (hence the name), the problem occurs when it’s spread to humans, which typically requires direct contact between human and pig. Once it’s in the human population, however, it can spread from person to person just like any other strain of influenza.

Swine flu is a “type A flu virus” with four subtypes, including H1N1, which, according to the authorities, is what we appear to be dealing with currently. One myth I’d like to debunk deals with acquiring the swine flu from consuming pork. NOT TRUE. According to doctors, you cannot contract swine flu from consuming pork or pork products, so no need to change your diet.

What should parents do to help safeguard their children (and themselves)? First, we should all be on the lookout for the symptoms of swine flu, which are much like the symptoms of any other type of flu: fever, headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, sore throat, persistent cough, nasal congestion, and muscle aches.

In children, however, be aware that diarrhoea or vomiting are especially prevalent flu symptoms. Also be aware that adults can be contagious for about a day before symptoms appear and up to seven days after the symptoms appear. Children, however, can be contagious for more than seven days after symptoms first appear.

Second, if you live in an area that has a number of reported cases, it might be a good idea to avoid public places as much as possible. Also, remind your children (and yourself) to wash hands often, and avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Studies have shown that viruses and bacteria can live for several hours on surfaces such as desks, tables, doorknobs, etc. And one of the most common ways people catch colds and the flu is by rubbing their nose or eyes after being contaminated.

In the home, parents are advised to routinely clean and disinfect objects such as toys (and other objects small children might put in their mouths), as well as other surfaces using soap, disinfectant and disposable paper towels.

It’s also recommended that parents teach their children “cough etiquette,” which involves turning their heads to cough and sneezing into a disposable tissue (or the inside of the elbow if necessary), rather than sneezing or coughing into their hands.

If you do suspect swine flu (or any flu), of course, see your doctor immediately. There are antiviral flu drugs, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) available to treat it and, as with most illnesses, early detection is better.

http://www.google.com