Swine Flu Q & A

Q & A - SWINE FLU (modified from the CDC )

What is swine flu? 

  • Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses.
  • Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs.
  • Until 2009 swine flu human infections was rare.
  • Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs, but since 2009  swine flu viruses is now known to spread from person to person also.

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 serious is swine flu infection?

  • Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.
  • Deaths reported in previous healthy patients; including pregnant women who are infected by the swine flu virus.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

  • This virus is contagious and spreads from human to human.

How do you catch swine flu?

  • Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
  • Through contact with a person with swine flu
  • Human-to-human spread of swine flu is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu.
  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected 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.
  • 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.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

  • Yes.
  • CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ) or zanamivir ( Relenza ) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses.
  • Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines 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 complications.
  • For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
  • Seasonal Flu vaccine 2010 also protects against the swine flu

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 can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

  • There is a vaccine available to protect against swine flu.
  • 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.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

What should I do if I get sick?

  • If you have influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, contact your GPs. They will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
  • Stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
  • Watch for the warning signs, & seek emergency medical care as appropriate:

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

The Australian Government's Health Emergency website keeps you up-to-date with important information about pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza outbreaks in Australia, and the actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and the community.
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