Post by kaya on Apr 27, 2009 11:01:26 GMT -5
Swine Flu Update - FAQs
Source: Internal
26 April 2009
Swine Flu FAQs
Dr. Tanya Benenson
Updated: April 27, 2009 at 8 a.m. ET
What is swine flu?
It is a lot like our seasonal flu but it usually only affects pigs. This one, swine influenza A (H1N1), is affecting humans who have not been exposed to pigs. This suggests there might be human-to-human transmission. The mode of transmission is presumably respiratory droplets.
If I had the flu shot, am I protected?
No. The swine H1N1 is very different from the human H1N1 that is in the flu vaccine. Currently there is no human vaccine available for swine flu.
How can I prevent getting the flu?
Similar recommendations as the seasonal flu. You are trying to avoid being exposed to respiratory droplets.
Hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (minimum concentration of 60% to 95% ethanol or isopropanol)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as those are direct entry points for viruses. Viruses can get on your hands when you touch infected objects.
Avoid close contact (6ft) with a sick person.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are very similar to the human flu:
Cough
Fever/Chills
Sore throat
Fatigue/Body aches
Decreased appetite
Less commonly: runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Is there treatment for swine flu?
YES, Tamiflu and Relenza (both prescription medications) work on this virus but it needs to be started in the first 48 hours of symptoms. So it is important to contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms.
If I think I have the flu, what should I do?
STAY HOME and contact your physician right away. This is not the time to be "tough" and go into work or school nor is it the time to travel. If you see your doctor, they might do a swab of your nose or mouth to confirm the virus with the CDC. Your doctor would start you on treatment based on your symptoms and likelihood of having the illness. Don't be alarmed if your doctor's office has a sign posted, like in the SARS days, that tells you to put on a mask if you have flu-like symptoms. This is a routine precaution during an outbreak to protect health care workers as well as other patients in the office. We are all just being extra careful.
COVER YOUR COUGH and avoid close contact with others. You should maintain a distance of 6 ft between you and other people, even family members. If you need to COUGH or SNEEZE, cover it with a tissue and throw the tissue away. Alternatively if you have no tissue available, you can cough or sneeze into the elbow of your sleeve. You are trying to avoid spreading infected respiratory droplets around that others could pick up.
Is there reason to panic?
No. The CDC and WHO have a good handle on the situation and are establishing a state of preparedness. If you follow the guidelines above and keep updated on the Homepage and links below, you will be in top of it.
Questions?
f you have any further questions, call your physician or please feel free to contact your local NBCU Medical Services. You can also call the CDC directly at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or go online for more detailed information on swine flu:
Source: Internal
26 April 2009
Swine Flu FAQs
Dr. Tanya Benenson
Updated: April 27, 2009 at 8 a.m. ET
What is swine flu?
It is a lot like our seasonal flu but it usually only affects pigs. This one, swine influenza A (H1N1), is affecting humans who have not been exposed to pigs. This suggests there might be human-to-human transmission. The mode of transmission is presumably respiratory droplets.
If I had the flu shot, am I protected?
No. The swine H1N1 is very different from the human H1N1 that is in the flu vaccine. Currently there is no human vaccine available for swine flu.
How can I prevent getting the flu?
Similar recommendations as the seasonal flu. You are trying to avoid being exposed to respiratory droplets.
Hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (minimum concentration of 60% to 95% ethanol or isopropanol)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as those are direct entry points for viruses. Viruses can get on your hands when you touch infected objects.
Avoid close contact (6ft) with a sick person.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are very similar to the human flu:
Cough
Fever/Chills
Sore throat
Fatigue/Body aches
Decreased appetite
Less commonly: runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Is there treatment for swine flu?
YES, Tamiflu and Relenza (both prescription medications) work on this virus but it needs to be started in the first 48 hours of symptoms. So it is important to contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms.
If I think I have the flu, what should I do?
STAY HOME and contact your physician right away. This is not the time to be "tough" and go into work or school nor is it the time to travel. If you see your doctor, they might do a swab of your nose or mouth to confirm the virus with the CDC. Your doctor would start you on treatment based on your symptoms and likelihood of having the illness. Don't be alarmed if your doctor's office has a sign posted, like in the SARS days, that tells you to put on a mask if you have flu-like symptoms. This is a routine precaution during an outbreak to protect health care workers as well as other patients in the office. We are all just being extra careful.
COVER YOUR COUGH and avoid close contact with others. You should maintain a distance of 6 ft between you and other people, even family members. If you need to COUGH or SNEEZE, cover it with a tissue and throw the tissue away. Alternatively if you have no tissue available, you can cough or sneeze into the elbow of your sleeve. You are trying to avoid spreading infected respiratory droplets around that others could pick up.
Is there reason to panic?
No. The CDC and WHO have a good handle on the situation and are establishing a state of preparedness. If you follow the guidelines above and keep updated on the Homepage and links below, you will be in top of it.
Questions?
f you have any further questions, call your physician or please feel free to contact your local NBCU Medical Services. You can also call the CDC directly at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or go online for more detailed information on swine flu: