FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SWINE FLU
Source: www.cdc.gov/swineflu

WHAT IS SWINE FLU?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

HOW MANY SWINE FLU VIRUSES ARE THERE?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

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 CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM GETTING SICK?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. But there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza:
   -Wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. 
   -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. And avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
   -Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
   -If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU IN PEOPLE?
They are similar to the symptoms of human flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, pneumonia, 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?
It is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads -- through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

HOW CAN SWINE FLU BE DIAGNOSED?
A respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first four to five days of illness. Identification requires sending the specimen to the CDC for testing.

ARE THERE MEDICINES TO TREAT SWINE FLU?
Yes. Two antiviral drugs, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), are prescription medicines that could be in the forms of pills, liquid or an inhaler that fight against the flu by keeping the flu viruses from reproducing in your body. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within 2 days of symptoms.

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. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, N.J., occurred in 1976 and caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

CAN I GET SWINE INFLUENZA FROM EATING OR PREPARING PORK?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food.

WHERE CAN I GO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SWINE FLU OCCURENCES IN HUMANS?
An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is available at the Centers for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has created a call center to answer general questions from Indiana residents.  Residents may call 877-826-0011 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. 

SOURCE:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu
www.statehealth.in.gov