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 Guadalupe County, 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 is 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.
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.
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 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.
What is CDC doing in response to the outbreak?
April 29, 2009, 10:55 PM ET
CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to
reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to
help health care providers, public health officials and the public
address the challenges posed by the new virus. CDC continues to issue
new interim guidance for clinicians and public health professionals. In
addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and
respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to
help them respond to the outbreak.
What epidemiological investigations are taking
place in response to the recent outbreak?
April 29, 2009, 10:55 PM ET
CDC works very closely with state and local officials in areas where
human cases of H1N1 (swine flu) infections have been identified. In
California and Texas, where EpiAid teams have been deployed, many
epidemiological activities are taking place or planned including:
•Active surveillance in the counties where infections in humans have
been identified;
•Studies of health care workers who were exposed to patients infected
with the virus to see if they became infected;
•Studies of households and other contacts of people who were confirmed
to have been infected to see if they became infected;
•Study of a public high school where three confirmed human cases of
influenza A (H1N1) of swine origin occurred to see if anyone became
infected and how much contact they had with a confirmed case; and
•Study to see how long a person with the virus infection sheds the
virus.
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