Sep 9, 2009 11:42 am US/Eastern
Question & Answer: What Is Swine Flu?
(CBS)
A swine flu outbreak that appears to have caused fatalities in humans in Mexico and nonfatal cases in the United States prompted the World Health Organization this weekend to urge countries around the world to be alert for suspicious cases of influenza.
WHO chief Margaret Chan says the global body is taking the outbreak very seriously, though comparisons with the 1918 epidemic are premature.
Here are some facts about swine flu courtesy of WHO and the Centers for Disease Control:
Q: What is swine flu?
A: Swine flu, also commonly known as the H1N1 virus, is a highly contagious form of influenza. The virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. The virus has now become a common human strain of influenza and spreads through tiny particles in the air or by direct contact. It was first detected in people in the United States in April.
As of September 3, 2009, the CDC reports more than 9,000 people have been hospitalized from the virus in America and American territories, and nearly 600 people have died.
Q: How many swine flu viruses are there?
A: 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.
Q: Where do outbreaks occur?
A: According to WHO, swine flu has reached phase six of its Pandemic Influenza Phases, meaning it has become a widespread human infection and is considered a pandemic. The virus is expected to be widespread during the fall and winter months, or the typical flu season, especially within schools and college campuses. A federal report concluded that nearly 1.8 million Americans could be hospitalized this flu season from the H1N1 virus, and between 30,000 and 90,000 people could die from the virus. In comparison, approximately 36,000 people die annually from the seasonal flu virus each year.
Q: How do humans contract the virus?
A: People who get the virus usually get it from being around infected pigs, but the current health scare seems to be the result of human-to-human transmission, similar to how the seasonal flu is spread. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Q: What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
A: The symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- 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
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
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Q: How many swine flu viruses are there?
A: 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
Q: What can I do to prevent myself from catching swine flu?
A: There are some simple precautions can reduce your risk of catching the illness.
- 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.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If 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.
The illness seems to be mild in most people, but the risk of complications or death from the virus is higher the elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems.
The NY State Department of Health has set up a hot line number for residents who have questions about the swine influenza. That number is 1-800-808-1987.
Q: Is it safe to eat pork products?
A: WHO says properly handled and prepared pork products are safe to eat. The swine flu virus dies when cooked at temperatures of 160 F/70C or higher.
Q: Does a vaccine exist?
A: The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in October. All New York City school children will be offered the vaccine for free.
More specific dates for H1N1 vaccine distribution cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials. The CDC recommends those who should seek the vaccine immediately include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
Q: What other treatment is there?
A: The swine flu virus detected in Mexico and the United States appears to respond to treatment with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). In terms of prevention, maintaining good hygiene, for example regular hand-washing and staying a safe distance from those infected, may help.
ADDITONAL SWINE FLU/H1N1 VIRUS RESOURCES:
Flu.gov: Know What To Do
CDC Swine Flu Facts Sheet
Learn At Home Student Guides
NYC.gov Swine Flu Information Guides
CBS News Interactive: Fighting The Flu
CDC Emergency Updates Via Twitter
Swine Flu Twitter Live Search Results
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