FAQ’s

• Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.
• Swine Flu viruses have been reported to spread from person–to–person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

• Various international agencies (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, World health Organization) have determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.
• WHO has escalated the world Pandemic Phase to Phase 6 (in a 6–scale Phase), indicating that a worldwide pandemic due to swine flu H1N1 is possible.

• The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
• Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and 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.

• Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.
• Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
• Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with live flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

• To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus).
• However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.
• Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to a hospital laboratory for testing.

• 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.

• People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.
• Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

• Because the virus is new, there will be no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic flu.
• Vaccine against Swine Flu virus H1N1 needs at least 6–12 months to be produced.
• Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu immunization will not provide protection.

• Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or Swine Flu prevention.
• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
• If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
• For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

• The virus can spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. The virus can then spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, doorknob, child’s toy or phone handset and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

• We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.
• Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

• 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. The virus can spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol–based hand cleaner.
• When you wash your hands – with soap and warm water –see that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol–based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores.
• If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work, the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

• If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza–like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
• If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
• If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs (next 2 slides), seek emergency medical care.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. Central & State Health Authorities are monitoring the situation in India. So far, no case has been reported.

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people and between countries.