Protecting Yourself Against Swine Flu
by Roberta Lee, MD (topic expert: health)

Every few years a viral infection mutates into a form that defies the international infectious disease experts. This year the distinction goes to swine flu, though it has been a recognized influenza type strain since as early as 1930.

Sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred in the past. Most commonly, these cases occur in people with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. people near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). There have also been reports of one person spreading swine flu to others. In 1988, an apparent outbreak of swine flu in pigs resulted in multiple human infections. Although no community outbreak resulted, there was evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

CDC has received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported. Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus happens in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with the illness. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Some people think that eating pork may increase your swine flu risk, however, 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.

Washing your hands is the first strategy for avoiding illness. Protecting your general health is the next step .Make sure to get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, but if you are around them, do not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus.

There are medications that CDC recommends such as oseltamivir (tamiflu) or zanamivir (relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines and fight against the flu by keeping the 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 note that antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

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 however, at the time of this writing, the symptoms reported by those infected in the United States have been mild.

Updated information can be attained at the official Center for Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm