Swine Flu website last updated April 29, 2009, 10:55 PM ET
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. 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 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:
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:
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
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
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.