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Swine
Flu Guide:
- Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by
Type A
influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.
- The outbreak started in Mexico on 18th March, 2009 and spread to USA and
Canada and then to other countries. With the quick spread of the
infection
worldwide, WHO heightened it to pandemic level phase-5, implying
widespread human infection
- H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get H1N1 virus from eating
pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is
safe.
- By providing hygienic workplace environment, common places and
washroom facilities, locations can help reduce the risk of transmission
of swine flu and similar workplace illnesses.
- 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.
- 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 diarrhoea 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.
- Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or
zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection
with these swine influenza viruses.
- 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 be 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 be 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.
- 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.
- Hand Hygiene
-- 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 -- 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.
- Respiratory Hygiene / Cough Etiquette
-- Cover the nose/mouth with a handkerchief/tissue paper when coughing or
sneezing
-- Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the
nearest waste receptacle after use.
-- Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and
water, alcohol based hand-rub, or antiseptic hand wash) after
having contact
with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects / materials.
-- Masks are not recommended for individuals or community. As a matter of
abundant precaution, it is recommended to use three layered surgical
masks
on suspicion of an affected person in the vicinity.
- Work Place Etiquettes
-- The employee who returns to the workplace after visit to affected areas
should be placed under surveillance of a qualified Health Professional
(personal or official), for a period of minimum of 10 days for appearance
of any
of the symptoms of swine flu stated above.
- Travel Advice to be given during these times to general public
The first and foremost question should be DO YOU REALLY NEED TO
TRAVEL. In case the travel to possibly affected countries / geographical
regions can be avoided, the same should be encouraged till the time
WHO withdraws
the pandemic alert.
Before any travel to affected area
-- Educate yourself and others travelling with you.
-- Take specific vaccinations as recommended by your health care
provider / Occupational Health Physician
-- Assemble travel health kit
-- Check your health insurance plan
During travel to an affected area
-- Avoid all direct contact with pigs and visiting the farms
-- Practice careful and frequent hand washing
-- Consume thoroughly cooked food
-- Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur
After your return
-- Monitor your health for 10 days
-- If you become ill with high fever, consult a doctor immediately.
- 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 does not want to be held
-- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
-- Fever with a rash
- 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
- Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal
-- Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in
the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and
similar waste.
-- Keep surfaces (esp bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, children’s
toys, phone handles, doorknobs) clean by wiping them down with a
household
disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
-- Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do
not need
to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be
shared
without washing thoroughly first.
-- Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry
soap
and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to
washing it to
prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and
water or
alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.
-- Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with
water
and soap.
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