What’s Swine Flu?
In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine flu – its signs and symptoms, how it’s transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people ought to do when they become ill.
[mp3]http – //swine-flu-tips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/what-is-swine-flu.mp3[/mp3]
Podcast Release Date – 4/25/2009
Podcast Run Time – 5 – 46
Author – Centers for Illness Control and Prevention
Series Name – CDC Featured Podcasts
What’s Swine Flu? Transcript
This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hello. I’m Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division. I’m here to talk with you today about swine flu.
First, I will start by explaining what swine flu is. Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs.
Individuals do not typically get swine flu, but human infections can and do occur. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in individuals who are around pigs, but it is possible for swine influenza viruses to spread from person to person, also.
The signs of swine flu in individuals are similar to the signs of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some individuals have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu, as well.
In the past, severe diseases, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, as well as deaths, have been announced with swine influenza infection in people , as well. Like seasonal flu, swine flu can cause a worsening of underlying chronic health conditions.
I will now discuss the severity of swine flu disease in individuals . Similar to 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 USA with no deaths occurring. Notwithstanding, swine flu infection can be serious.
In September 1988, a previously healthful 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu, and she died eight days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with severe illness in several people and one death.
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways. The first way is through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine influenza viruses. The second way is through contact with a individuals infected with a swine influenza virus.
Human-to-human spread of swine flu has also been documented and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to be spread primarily person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected individuals .
Next, I’d like to tell you about medicines that can be used to treat swine flu. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and, alternatively, avoidance of infection with these swine influenza viruses.
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines, such as pills, liquids, or inhaler that fights against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and can make you feel better faster.
They might also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick, particularly within two days of signs.
Individuals with swine influenza infection should be considered potentially infectious if they’re symptomatic, and quite possibly for up to seven days following the illness onset. Children, specifically younger children, might potentially be infectious for longer periods.
There’s no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. Notwithstanding, there are daily actions that individuals can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory diseases like influenza. Take these daily steps to protect your health –
o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
o Try to avoid close contact with sick individuals . When you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because germs can spread that way.
Now, I will move on to discuss what you should do when you get sick. When you live in an area where swine flu infections have been reported, and when you become ill with influenza-like signs, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider, especially when you are worried about your signs.
Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you ought to stay home and avoid contact with other individuals as much as possible to keep from spreading your disease to others.
When 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 – fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held, fever with a rash, or influenza-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever and worse cough.
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, and severe or persistent vomiting.
Individuals do not need to worry about eating or preparing pork. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
For additional Swine Flu tips and other health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7.
Swine Flu Tips information accumulated Saturday, April 25, 2009