Swine Flu Information

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. The virus currently spreading among people is now generally referred to as swine flu. Swine flu viruses are usually of H1N1 sub-type. The swine flu that has spread to humans is a version of this virus. 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.

Why is swine flu affecting humans?

The swine flu virus has changed and is now able to infect humans and transmit between them. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others.

Symptoms of swine flu are:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish or gray skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Not interacting
* Irritation
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Sore throat
* Nausea
* Diarrhea

Treatment of Swine Flu

* Mild influenza illness does not require specific anti viral medicine.
* Medicines should be taken only on advice of the doctor.
* Paracetamol for fever and ibuprofen for myalgia can be taken as per the advice of the dooctor.
* Oseltamivir, if prescribed / advised by the doctor only.
* Children need to be given paediatric preparation and dosage of the above drugs.
* Medicines (other than paracetamol) available for fever, headache, body ache in general groceries, pan shops etc should not be taken as they may contain aspirin.
* Aspirin should not be given for fever or body ache.
* Patients should take plenty of fluids.
* If fever is not responding, there is worsening of symptoms and in particular altered sensorium (confusion, incoherent speech etc) / loss of consciousness or difficulty in breathing, patient should be referred to nearest identified health facility.

Swine Flu Precaution

Precautions from swine flu for general person

* Get a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.
* People at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older should get vaccination.
* 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 are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone
* While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
* Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible
* Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows
* Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active

Precautions form swine flu for sick person

* Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that's possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.
* Wear mask all the time. Three layered surgical mask should be provided by the hospital / community health worker. If mask is not readily available, mouth and nose should be covered with a piece of cloth / handkerchief / tissue paper.
* avoid smoking
* The sick person should clean his hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
* Unless necessary, person with the flu should not leave the home when he has a fever or during the time that he is most likely to spread the infection to others
* Avoid going into the community, school, office, markets
* If person with the flu needs to leave the home (for example, for medical care), he should cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
* Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons
* If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant